Kansas City, MO (March 3, 2024) –
Xaviar Michael Babudar, widely recognized as the passionate Kansas City Chiefs superfan “ChiefsAholic,” entered a guilty plea this week in federal court, admitting to a string of 11 bank robberies or attempted robberies across seven states. The crime wave, which included an incident in El Dorado Hills last summer, concluded with Babudar’s capture following a multi-state manhunt.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Missouri, Babudar, 29, pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering, transporting stolen property across state lines, and bank robbery. U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs presided over the plea hearing.
U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore expressed concerns over the impact of Babudar’s “violent crime spree” on bank employees and financial institutions, highlighting his attempt to conceal stolen funds through online gambling and casino visits.
Babudar admitted to a series of nine bank and credit union robberies in 2022, followed by two additional bank robberies while he was a fugitive. U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson of the Northern District of Oklahoma emphasized the seriousness of the threat posed by Babudar, thanking law enforcement for their efforts in bringing him to justice.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen A. Cyrus acknowledged Babudar’s national attention as a Chiefs superfan but underscored the reckless and intimidating nature of his criminal actions. Significant resources were mobilized across multiple states to locate and apprehend Babudar, emphasizing the collaboration between local, state, and federal partners.
Babudar’s plea agreement includes restitution of at least $532,675 to the victim financial institutions and the forfeiture of assets involved in money laundering, including an autographed painting of Chiefs quarterback Patrick L. Mahomes II.
The superfan, known for his nomadic lifestyle around the Kansas City metropolitan area, maintained a robust social media presence as @ChiefsAholic. Dressed as a wolf in Chiefs clothing, he attended most games.
Details of his crimes revealed that Babudar stole $70,000 from a Clive, Iowa, bank in March 2022 and $139,500 from a credit union in Bixby, Okla., in December 2022. His methods included wearing a ski mask, brandishing what appeared to be a firearm, and making threats to bank employees.
Babudar’s arrest in Oklahoma in December 2022 led to his release on bond in February 2023. Despite placing winning bets at a casino in Illinois, he cut his ankle monitor and fled, using gambling winnings to purchase a vehicle and evade law enforcement until his arrest in Sacramento in July 2023.
The superfan now faces a maximum sentence of up to 50 years in federal prison without parole, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for July 10, 2024. The plea agreement recommends concurrent sentences for each count, leaving the court to determine the final sentence based on advisory guidelines and statutory factors.
This dramatic case underscores the convergence of sports fandom, criminal activity, and a nationwide manhunt, with the sentencing hearing poised to mark the culmination of this captivating legal saga.
