KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The man who became a local legend, Kansas City Chiefs superfan who dressed like a wolf and who was better known “ChiefsAholic,” has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to a string of 11 robberies or attempted robberies, of financial institutions in seven states, including multiple credit unions.
Xaviar Michael Babudar, 29, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to one count of money laundering and one count of transporting stolen property across state lines. Babudar also pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery, which is contained in a separate case filed in the Northern District of Oklahoma.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Babudar also admitted that he engaged in a string of nine bank and credit union robberies (or attempted robberies) in 2022 followed by two bank robberies committed while he was a fugitive from justice.
Laundered Through Casinos
Babudar laundered much of the stolen money through area casinos and online gambling, prosecutors said.
As CUToday.info reported here, Babudar was arrested in California following four months on the run after he had cut his ankle monitor in the wake of an earlier arrest. At the time of his initial arrest police said he was captured with money that had been stolen from a branch of Tulsa Teachers FCU in Bixby, Okla.
“Babudar walked into a (credit union) in Bixby, Okla., demanded money, and threatened to shoot them if they did not comply,” U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson of the Northern District of Oklahoma said in a statement. “Babudar posed a serious danger and risk to the public. I am thankful for the efforts of the Bixby Police Department, the FBI, and federal prosecutors in holding him accountable.”
When Babudar was arrested shortly after the credit union robbery, he had a large bag in his possession that contained $139,500 in $100 bills plus $10,750 in $50 bills, totaling $150,250 in cash. When investigators searched his 2019 Mazda 3, they found numerous pairs of goggles and gloves, which Babudar wore during a series of bank robberies, the U.S. Attorney said.
Additional Credit Union Robberies
According to prosecutors, in addition to numerous banks, Babudar also:
- Admitted he stole $303,845 from the West Des Moines, Iowa, branch of First Class Community Credit Union on July 13, 2022. “Babudar brandished what appeared to be a silver and black firearm, jumped over the teller counter, and demanded that the bank employees open the bank vault. After carrying the stolen money back to Missouri, Babudar began laundering this money through area casinos, depositing the cash he received from these casinos into his personal bank account.”
- Admitted he stole $125,900 from the Nashville branch of The Tennessee Credit Union on Nov. 17, 2022. “Babudar, armed with what appeared to be a black and silver firearm, climbed over the bank teller counter. He pressed the firearm against the teller’s body and demanded that credit union employees take him to the vault. Employees complied with Babudar’s demands, provided him with cash from the teller drawers, and took him to the vault. Babudar told credit union employees that if he was given a dye pack he would ‘come back and put a bullet in your head.’ After Babudar fled on foot, a hat was recovered; investigators extracted DNA from the hat that matched the DNA extracted from Babudar’s glove in the March 2, 2022, robbery. A few days later, Babudar used some of the stolen money to purchase $20,000 in casino chips in multiple transactions from a local casino.
- Admitted he attempted to rob Wings Financial Credit Union in Savage, Minn., on Nov. 29, 2022. Babudar entered this credit union with what appeared to be a firearm and demanded that credit union employees open the vault. Babudar fled from the credit union, however, after seeing the vault only held small bills, Babudar demanded $100 bills. Credit union employees told him they didn’t keep $100 bills in the vault, and Babudar fled on foot.
Terms of Plea
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Babudar must pay at least $532,675 in restitution to the victim financial institutions. Babudar also must forfeit to the government any property involved in his money laundering activity, including an autographed painting of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick L. Mahomes II that has been recovered by the FBI.
Babudar is subject to a sentence of up to 50 years in federal prison without parole, with the parties agreeing to recommend that the sentences imposed for each count run concurrent to one another.
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