“Black Binder Bandit” Pleads Guilty

PHOENIX, AZ—Yesterday, Cristian Alfredo Urquijo, 40, of Los Angeles, California, pleaded guilty to nine counts of bank robbery, three counts of armed bank robbery, and one count of use of a firearm in a crime of violence, in federal district court in Phoenix.

Urquijo had been charged in a 16-count indictment with bank robbery, armed bank robbery, and use of a firearm in a crime of violence. Urquijo admitted that he robbed 12 banks in the East Valley, beginning on September 2, 2010, through his apprehension on July 20, 2011. In all, he admitted to obtaining in excess of $49,000 as a result of the bank robberies. He was dubbed the “Black Binder Bandit” because he frequently carried a black binder during the robberies that contained a note and/or a firearm. Urquijo also placed stolen money in the binder before exiting the bank.

Convictions for the above-mentioned crimes carry a maximum penalty of lifetime imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. In determining an actual sentence, Judge Susan R. Bolton will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

Sentencing is set before Judge Susan R. Bolton on April 9, 2012.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Bank Robbery Task Force, which is a collaboration of many law enforcement agencies. The prosecution is being handled by Melissa Karlen and Tracy Van Buskirk, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-11-01624-PHX-SRB

RELEASE NUMBER: 2012-015(Urquijo)