A judge recently ruled that Xaviar Babudar, also known as Chiefsaholic, must pay $10.8 million to a former bank teller in Bixby, Oklahoma, whom he threatened with a gun during a series of bank robberies. Tulsa County District Judge Tracy L. Priddy ordered Babudar to pay $3.6 million for physical harm and emotional distress caused to the teller, Payton Garcia, and an additional $7.2 million in punitive damages. Babudar’s attorney, Matthew Merryman, has yet to comment on the ruling. Despite the hefty sum, Garcia’s attorney, Frank Frasier, admitted that it may be challenging to collect the money from Babudar, who was unemployed and living in cars at the time of the crimes.
Babudar confessed to stealing over $800,000 in 11 bank robberies across seven states and funneling the money through casinos. As part of his federal plea deal, Babudar is required to pay a minimum of $532,675 in restitution to the financial institutions he targeted. Frasier emphasized that Babudar will not be able to profit from his crimes, even if he were to publish a book or participate in a movie while in prison, as any earnings would be directed to his creditors. The judge’s message was clear – crime should not lead to profit or increased notoriety.
Xaviar Babudar, 29, had cultivated a significant social media following under the handle @Chiefsaholic on various platforms, presenting himself as an ambitious and generous individual with a passion for gambling, Kansas State sports, and the Kansas City Chiefs. However, an investigation by ESPN uncovered that Babudar’s online persona was largely a fabrication. His true nature was revealed when he was arrested in December 2022 after a bank robbery in Bixby, during which he threatened a bank teller with a firearm. Following his release on bond in February 2023, Babudar managed to evade capture for almost four months before being apprehended in California in July 2023.
Babudar’s actions had far-reaching consequences, particularly for Payton Garcia, the teller he victimized. Garcia was forced to leave her job following the traumatic incident and continues to grapple with the aftermath, affecting her family life and emotional well-being. Frasier underscored the long-lasting impact of the crime on Garcia, asserting that she may never be able to return to work in the banking sector. As a result of his actions, Babudar is now serving time in Leavenworth federal prison in Kansas and is awaiting sentencing in July.
The case of the Kansas City Chiefs superfan turned bank robber serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of creating a false online identity and the severe repercussions of criminal behavior. The ruling against Xaviar Babudar not only holds him accountable for his actions but also sends a clear message about the consequences of seeking to profit from illegal activities. It underscores the importance of integrity and accountability, both online and in real life.
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