Kansas City Chiefs superfan ‘ChiefsAholic’ pleads guilty to charges tied to bank robberies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City Chiefs superfan known as “ChiefsAholic” pleaded guilty Wednesday to a series of robberies and attempted robberies of banks and credit unions in multiple states.
Xaviar Michael Babudar, 29, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Kansas City, Missouri, to money laundering, transporting stolen property across state lines and bank robbery. The verdict was scheduled for July 10.
“His violent crime spread across the Midwest and beyond, traumatizing bank employees and financial institutions in seven states,” U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said in a news release.
Federal prosecutors say Babudar has admitted to a series of robberies or attempted robberies in 2022 and 2023. Much of the stolen money was laundered through casinos and online gambling, prosecutors said.
As part of the settlement, Babudar must pay at least $532,675 in restitution. He must also forfeit property, including a signed painting of Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes that was recovered by the FBI.
Before his arrest, Babudar was a well-known figure on social media for his fanatical support for the Chiefs. He attended several games dressed as a wolf in Chiefs gear.
Prosecutors said the robberies and attempted robberies occurred in Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Tennessee, Minnesota, Nevada and California.
Babudar has taken responsibility for his crimes, his attorney, Matthew Merryman, said in an emailed statement to the Kansas City Star.
“Today Xaviar stood humbly and contritely before the eyes of the Court and the eyes of the Chiefs Kingdom,” Merryman said. “Xaviar loves the Chiefs Kingdom, he loves his family and he loves Kansas City. He just hopes that you will all support him.”