San Benito man sent to prison for robbing bank via threatening message

McALLEN, Texas – A 26-year-old local man has been ordered to federal prison for bank robbery, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Gustavo Guadalupe Guevara pleaded guilty May 20.

Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ordered him to serve a 42-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard from the victim and noted the seriousness and nature of the offense.

On the morning of Nov. 3, 2020, Guevarra approached a teller at a Lone Star National Bank in Harlingen and handed her a piece of paper with a threatening message. In it, Guevarra also demanded money. The teller feared for her safety and complied. Guevarra then fled the bank.

The investigation led to Guevarra. Law enforcement ultimately found a large amount of U.S. currency at his residence.

Guevara will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The FBI and Harlingen Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Coronado prosecuted the case.