Kansas City Chiefs Fan, “ChiefsAholic,” Indicted for Bank Robberies and Money Laundering
Kansas City, MO – Xaviar Babudar, famously known as “ChiefsAholic,” was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday for a series of bank robberies across the Midwest. The indictment alleges that Babudar used his popular social media handle to commit the crimes and launder the stolen cash through various casinos.
According to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Western District of Missouri, Babudar was arrested last month in connection to an alleged robbery in Iowa that took place the previous year. The FBI utilized bank records, casino transaction records, and other financial information to track Babudar’s activities. They later discovered that his cell phone was present in cities where unsolved robberies had taken place.
The 28-year-old has been charged with 11 counts of money laundering, four counts of transporting stolen property across state lines, three counts of armed bank robbery, and one count of bank theft. The indictment replaces and adds more charges than the federal criminal complaint filed against him in May.
Authorities claim that Babudar was responsible for six successful bank robberies and two attempted ones from March to December 2022, stealing a total of over $800,000. Additionally, he allegedly purchased and redeemed more than $1 million in chips from various casinos in Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois within that same timeframe.
Babudar gained widespread recognition for his unique attire as he attended most Kansas City Chiefs games dressed in a gray, masked wolf suit. Authorities believe that he financed his travels and attendance at these games through the proceeds of his crimes. Apart from the bank robberies, Babudar also allegedly gambled on the outcomes of Chiefs games without reporting his winnings in Missouri or Kansas.
Initially arrested in December 2022 in Bixby, Oklahoma, Babudar managed to flee the state after cutting his ankle monitor while out on bond. It is reported that he won $100,000 on bets from an Illinois sportsbook before evading authorities. The fugitive spent over three months on the run before being apprehended by the FBI near Sacramento, California, in July.
Matthew T. Merryman, Babudar’s defense attorney, released a statement in response to the indictment. He argued that the government’s portrayal of his client is unfair and unjust, emphasizing Babudar’s previous contributions to the Kansas City community as a source of inspiration and entertainment.
Babudar is currently being held in federal custody without bond as he awaits trial. If convicted, he could face substantial penalties for his alleged crimes, including hefty fines and significant prison time.