A federal judge has convicted a 42-year-old Laredo resident, Arturo Limon II, of bank robbery, as reported by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana found Limon guilty on all four charges following a one-day bench trial, which included two counts of bank robbery, one count of bank theft, and one count of providing false statements during a firearm purchase.
The case traces back to April 27, 2024, when Limon carried out a robbery at Falcon International Bank on McPherson Road. He approached bank tellers, handed over an empty green camouflage backpack, and demanded they fill it with cash, asserting, "yes this is happening." Limon departed with a substantial sum of money, fled through the main entrance, and drove away in a blue Ford Mustang.
Authorities swiftly reviewed bank surveillance footage and issued an alert to locate an individual matching Limon's description. Later that day, Limon visited Arena Gun Club with the same backpack and attempted to buy a firearm using a large amount of cash. Employees notified law enforcement after Limon left while they conducted mandatory background checks, triggered by his suspicious conduct.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Limon lied about his residential address on the firearm purchase form while attempting to acquire five pistols and one rifle from the Arena Gun Club. Authorities arrested Limon at his residence when he arrived in a blue Mustang. They found marked currency and the green camouflage backpack in his vehicle.
Judge Saldana will impose sentencing at a later date. At sentencing, Limon could face up to 20 years in federal prison, along with a potential maximum fine of $250,000. Meanwhile, Limon remains in custody awaiting his sentencing date.
The FBI led the investigation, with the case prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leslie Cortez and Mike Makens.