A Kansas City Chiefs superfan, known as “Chiefsaholic” pleaded guilty on Wednesday in federal court to charges related to a string of bank robberies and could face up to 50 years in prison.
“Chiefsaholic” Pleads Guilty to Bank Robberies
Xaviar Babudar, the Chiefs fan known for dressing in a wolf suit as “Chiefsaholic” at the team’s games, has pleaded guilty to charges related to a string of bank robberies.
Babudar pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery, one count of money laundering, and one count of transporting stolen property across state lines in federal court. Babudar was accused of stealing more than $800,000 in 11 robberies and then laundering the stolen money at casinos.
“His violent crime spree across the Midwest and beyond traumatized bank employees and victimized financial institutions in seven states,” U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said in a statement.
“The defendant tried to conceal hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen cash by using it to gamble online and at casinos, but the odds caught up with him. With today’s conviction, he will be held accountable for the full scope of his criminal conduct, including his attempt to flee from justice.”
Babudar faces a prison sentence of up to 50 years without parole. His sentencing is scheduled for July 10.
The bank robberies to which Babudar admitted began in March 2022, and he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in several states that year. After he was arrested in Oklahoma in Dec. 2022, he was released on bond in Feb. 2023.
In June 2022, before the start of the 2022 NFL season, prosecutors said Babudar placed $10,000 on two bets at a casino in Illinois, one on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes winning the Super Bowl 57 MVP and another one on the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl.
After Kansas City defeated Philadelphia, Babudar won $100,000 off the bets he placed and was mailed a check in March 2023. When Babudar received his winnings, he cut off his ankle monitor and fled Oklahoma. He was eventually arrested in Sacramento, Calif., on July 7.
As part of the plea agreement, Babudar must pay $532,675 in restitution to the victim financial institutions. He also has to forfeit any property he obtained through money laundering, which includes an autographed painting of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes that he purchased at an auction.
Babudar’s attorney, Matthew Merryman, told reporters outside the courthouse that the plea deal reduces the charges from 20 to three.
“Today was a big day for Xaviar Babudar,” Merryman said. “He took responsibility for his actions. He stood up in court, humble and repentant, and admitted what he had done. … Moving from 20 charges down to three charges, it was an opportunity. Xaviar Babudar would never physically harm anyone.”
KEEP READING: Who Is Chiefsaholic? ESPN’s “Where Wolf” Tells Story Behind the Chiefs Superfan
Babudar built a large social media following as @Chiefsaholic on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, cultivating an image of a generous man who enjoyed gambling and Kansas State sports. However, an ESPN investigation revealed that much of what he portrayed about himself online was not true.
Babudar has spent the past seven months at a federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, listening to Chiefs games on a transistor radio, according to ESPN.
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!