DALLAS — A Dallas man, Mario Flores Garfias, Jr., who admitted robbing three banks and one credit union in Dallas during a two-week period last fall, was sentenced this morning by U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn to 150 months (12 ½ years) in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper. Judge Lynn also ordered Garfias, 29, to pay $11,283 in restitution.

Garfias admitted robbing the following:

• September 13, 2007 Compass Bank 1824 Abrams Road, Dallas
• September 17, 2007 Guaranty Bank 1134 Buckner Boulevard, Dallas
• September 26, 2007 Resource One Credit Union7518 Ferguson Road, Dallas
• October 1, 2007 Wachovia Bank 10600 Forest Lane, Dallas

During the robberies, Garfias would generally hand a demand note to a teller and on some occasions, lifted his shirt to expose a pistol-shaped object. During the October 1, 2007, robbery, Garfias displayed what appeared to be a silver and black pistol, but was, in fact, an airgun. He handed a demand note to a teller and stated he would shoot people if his demands were not met. The teller informed Garfias that her teller drawer was located near the drive-thru window and as she began walking toward the drive-thru, Garfias jumped over the teller counter and ordered another teller to give him all of the money from her teller drawer. The tellers gave Garfias bank money which included tracking devices. Garfias then jumped back over the teller counter and ordered everyone to stay where they were or he would start shooting.