Violent Crime Spree Ends in Convictions

MCALLEN, TX—Two men accused of carjacking one victim and then robbing a Weslaco Credit Union have been convicted, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. A third man involved in the conspiracy also pleaded guilty to robbing a McAllen Credit Union.

On September 16, 2011, Victor Gamez, 33, of Alamo, Texas; and Ivan Alejandro Reyes‐Rodriguez, 28, a Mexican citizen illegally in the United States, carjacked a woman in Weslaco, Texas. Reyes‐Rodriguez threatened the woman with a dangerous weapon and forced her to give him the vehicle.

Minutes later, Gamez and Reyes robbed the La Joya Area Federal Credit Union in Weslaco at gunpoint. Reyes threatened the tellers with a gun while Gamez collected the money and they then fled in the vehicle they had taken from female victim.

On November 23, 2011, Gustavo Sanchez Herrera, 24, a Mexican citizen illegally in the United States, also robbed the HEB Federal Credit Union in McAllen, Texas at gunpoint along with co‐conspirators. One of them vaulted the teller counter, waived a silver handgun at the tellers, and demanded money. Sanchez Herrera acted as a lookout during the robbery and drove the getaway vehicle.

All three defendants are set for sentencing before United States District Judge Micaela Alvarez on May 17, 2012. At that time, all three face as much as 25 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, and a five‐year‐term of supervised release for armed bank robbery, while Gamez and Reyes‐Rodriguez also face as much as 15 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, and a three‐year term of supervised release for carjacking.

The defendants have been in custody since December 5, 2011 and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

The FBI investigated the case along with the Weslaco and McAllen police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen J. Rees and Leo J. Leo prosecuted the case.