A Macon man was sentenced to 97 months in prison for his involvement in a series of credit union robberies in 2022. Felix Cordes, aged 58, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell and will also face five years of supervised release following his prison term. Ordered to pay restitution of $38,274, Cordes had earlier pleaded guilty to a bank robbery charge on January 2. The federal system does not offer parole.
Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker commented on the case, stating, “Criminal offenders who instill fear in our community by conducting bank robberies will face consequences for their actions. Our office is committed to working with law enforcement to bring the most dangerous criminals to justice.”
Paul Brown, the Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, expressed relief at the sentence: “Cordes terrified innocent employees and customers at three businesses throughout his crime spree. We are extremely grateful that no one was physically hurt or killed during these violent robberies and thankful that Cordes is off our streets receiving the sentencing he deserves.”
Bibb County Sheriff David Davis noted, “Felix Cordes was a ruthless and relentless criminal who possibly could have killed innocent bank employees had he not been stopped by the diligent work of investigators. We are grateful that justice is served, and he will be held accountable for spreading mayhem in our community.”
Court documents revealed that Cordes robbed the MidSouth Community Federal Credit Union in Macon on April 2, 2022. He disguised himself in overalls, a bandana, and sunglasses, brandishing a handgun at bank employees to demand money. Cordes took cash from two drawers and fled the scene, causing several tellers to experience panic attacks. He used some of the stolen money to buy two cellphones from a Boost Mobile store.
In a subsequent heist on May 2, 2022, Cordes, with the help of an accomplice, robbed the Central Georgia Regional Credit Union in Macon, wearing blue latex gloves and brandishing a weapon. A third robbery attempt on May 24, 2022, at another MidSouth Community Federal Credit Union was thwarted by alert bank staff.
Investigations conducted by the FBI and Bibb County Sheriff’s Office uncovered items linking Cordes to the crimes, including a bandana and gloves seen in the robbery footage, cellphone boxes linked to the purchased items, and ammunition. Cordes was found to have stolen $38,274 in total from the two credit unions.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom.
