Chiefs superfan Xaviar Babudar receives 17.5 years in prison for armed bank robberies. He stole over $800,000 and must pay high restitution.
An iconic Kansas City Chiefs fan known as the “ChiefsAholic” has been sentenced to 17.5 years in prison without parole. Xaviar Babudar, who rose to fame by wearing a gray wolf suit at Chiefs games, was convicted of a series of armed bank robberies across the United States.
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Chiefs fan leads double life full of crime
Babudar, 30, who rose to prominence through his presence at Arrowhead Stadium and on social media, confessed in February to stealing more than $800,000 in 11 robberies in seven states. He pleaded guilty to charges of bank robbery, money laundering and transporting stolen goods across state lines.
According to court documents, Babudar’s criminal career began in March 2022 and allowed him to cultivate his ChiefsAholic persona. At his sentencing, he apologized to his victims, his hometown of Kansas City and his family. His attorney, Matthew Merryman, attributed Babudar’s actions to a gambling addiction, while Patrick Daly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office disagreed: “It’s not a gambling addiction. It’s an addiction to fame.”
A shocking confession from the NFL fan
One robbery victim wrote, “My team did not deserve to be threatened with a gun twice just so a man in a wolf suit could travel around the country and place extravagant bets.” Babudar had threatened to shoot a Nashville credit union employee if he handed him a paint package.
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An investigation revealed that Babudar had a difficult childhood and a history of legal problems. Much of what he shared about himself on social media was untrue. His lawyer argued that Babudar’s quasi-celebrity status enabled him to recoup the financial losses of his actions.
Babudar’s secret life ended on December 16, 2022, when he was arrested following a robbery in Oklahoma. After being released on bail in February 2023, he fled after winning $100,000 betting on the Chiefs. He was arrested again in California on July 7, 2023.
Babudar must pay millions in compensation
Babudar must pay $532,455 in restitution and surrender all property acquired through his crimes, including a signed painting of Patrick Mahomes. A judge ordered him to pay $10.8 million to a threatened bank employee. Babudar, who is currently in Leavenworth Federal Prison, has asked to be transferred to Illinois.
