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Former Dallas Firefighter Sentenced To 46 Months In Bank Robbery

Jesus Ventura
(credit: Dallas Fire-Rescue)

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A former Dallas firefighter was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison on Wednesday for robbing a Dallas Bank last April.

Jesus Ventura, 37, of Irving, Texas, pled guilty in September to one count of bank robbery and faced up to 20 years. Ventura robbed the Chase Bank, located at 1881 Sylvan Avenue in Dallas on April 10, 2012.

The criminal affidavit states that when Ventura entered the bank, he asked an employee to use the restroom. Ventura left the bank lobby but soon returned and was greeted by a teller. Ventura replied in a low-toned voice, "I am sorry to do this to you, I really am. Give me all the money."

According to the affidavit, the teller had only been working at the bank for two weeks and stared back at Ventura. The robber repeated his demand several more times, becoming more aggressive when he raised his black backpack and said, "Give me all the money." Fearing that Ventura had a weapon in the bag, the teller gave Ventura an undisclosed amount of money. Ventura then took a $20 bill, slid it underneath the glass, and said "Here is a tip for you."

Officers with the Dallas Police Department arrested Ventura a short time after the robbery.  The black backpack and the money stolen from Chase Bank were recovered, but no weapon was found.

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