Orlando, FL - United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Raulier Rivas Lopez (28, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to one count of credit union robbery with assault, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of the robbery. Lopez faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison on the robbery charge, and a consecutive mandatory minimum term of 7 years, up to life imprisonment for the firearm charge.
According to court documents, on the morning of Jan. 25, 2012, Lopez, and three others robbed the American Eagle Credit Union located at 7007 SeaWorld Drive, in Orlando. Lopez and two of his co-conspirators, all wearing masks, entered the credit union and demanded money from the credit union employees. Lopez pointed a firearm at the credit union employees, as his co-conspirators pepper-sprayed them so that they would not be able to identify the robbers. Lopez and his co-conspirators stole approximately $7,000 during the robbery.
To date, one other individual, Joseph Cotto-Diaz, has been arrested for his role in this case. Cotto-Diaz was charged in a superseding indictment on March 19, 2014. He is scheduled for trial in July 2014.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
