Trick or Treat Bandit Sentenced to Federal Prison for Series of Austin Bank Robberies

In Austin Today, 34-year-old Antonio Cervantez of Austin, dubbed by law enforcement as the “Trick or Treat Bandit,” was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for committing several Austin bank robberies, announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman; FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez, San Antonio Division; and Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo.

Cervantez, who has remained in custody since his arrest on May 29, 2013, received four years in federal prison for bank robbery plus a mandatory seven-year-consecutive prison term for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Sam Sparks ordered that Cervantez pay a combined restitution in the amount of $127,885.49 to four different financial institutions—Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Capital One, and International Bank of Commerce.

“It’s hard to know what someone considers when planning and committing an armed robbery, but this case should make them think about the fact that they'll likely spend a long time in prison if we have anything to do with it,” stated United States Attorney Robert Pitman.

In August, Cervantez pleaded guilty to the charges. By pleading guilty, Cervantez admitted that on the afternoon of May 29, 2013, he robbed the Bank of America located on West Parmer Lane in Austin. A bank customer, who witnessed the robbery from the drive-through banking lane, called the police and followed Cervantez after he fled the scene. Cervantez drove to his residence in the 4300 block of Northridge, where authorities subsequently arrested him and recovered approximately $30,000 stolen from the bank and a .380 caliber firearm. According to court records, Cervantes is also responsible for committing seven other bank robberies in Austin dating back to October 2009.

“This case highlights the FBI’s commitment to working with our partners in the Central Texas Violent Crime Task Force to aggressively investigate and prosecute dangerous serial armed bank robbers who threaten the safety of our public,” stated FBI SAC Armando Fernandez.

This case was investigated by the Austin Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force. The task force is made up of investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Austin Police Department, and the Round Rock Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Gregg N. Sofer prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.