DALLAS—A Dallas man has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with committing the September 3, 2015, robbery of a First Convenience Bank in Dallas, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Following a detention hearing on Friday, September 18, 2015, U.S. Magistrate Judge David L. Horan ordered that Joshua Sefnathn Chavez, 23, remain in federal custody on the charge.

According to the complaint, the First Convenience Bank, located inside the Kroger store at 752 Wynnewood Shopping Center in Dallas, was robbed by a male suspect, later identified as Chavez. Chavez approached a teller’s counter and handed the teller a dark-colored bank bag, a folded piece of paper and a withdrawal slip. The teller opened the piece of paper that read, “This is a robbery no one gets hurt! Put all lose bills in bag! No trackers no dye packs. Gun in waist!”

In fear for her life, the teller removed cash from her cash drawer, placed it in the bag and handed the bag to Chavez, who then left the bank.

After further investigation, detectives with the Dallas Police Department (DPD) determined that the suspect in the First Convenience Bank robbery matched the description of an individual who robbed a Chase Bank in Dallas two days earlier. The DPD issued a press release to the local media and to social media asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual who robbed these banks. Crime Stoppers received a tip that identified the suspect as Chavez.

A federal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offenses charged, and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. If convicted of this bank robbery, however, Chavez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. The U.S. Attorney’s office has 30 days to present the matter to a grand jury for indictment.

The FBI and the DPD are investigating. Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Robinson is in charge of the prosecution.