Superstar Chiefs fan 'Chiefsaholic' pleads guilty to bank robbery and money laundering

A Kansas City Chiefs fan “Chiefsaholic” has pleaded guilty in federal court after a bizarre saga that eventually saw the 29-year-old arrested and charged in a string of 11 robberies, or attempted robberies, that stretched across seven states.

On Wednesday, the man behind the wolf mask, Xavier Michael Babudar, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, one count of transporting stolen property across state lines, and one count of bank robbery in Oklahoma.

Babudar, who gained notoriety and a large social media presence for wearing a gray wolf suit to Chiefs games as part of his “Chiefsaholic” persona, admitted to stealing more than $800,000 with his guilty plea.

The 29-year-old pleaded not guilty last year to 19 charges, including armed robbery, bank robbery, money laundering and transporting stolen property.

Babudar was released on bail in February 2023. A month later, he removed his ankle monitor and fled. Authorities tracked him to Lincoln, California, and took him into custody on July 7, 2023.

Babudar's story was featured in a 2023 ESPN documentary, in which he made his first public comments in the form of a letter read by attorney Matthew Merriman.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Babudar must pay at least $532,675 in restitution to the affected financial institutions. Babudar must also forfeit an autographed painting of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick L. Mahomes II that was recovered by the FBI.

“His violent crime spree in the Midwest and beyond traumatized bank employees and victimized financial institutions in seven states,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. “The defendant attempted to hide hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen cash by using it to gamble online and at casinos, but the odds trickled him out. “With today’s conviction, he will be held accountable for the full scope of his criminal conduct, including his attempt to evade justice.”

Babudar is subject to a sentence of up to 50 years in federal prison without parole, with both parties agreeing to recommend that the sentences imposed on each count be concurrent with each other.

Babudar's lawyer, Matthew Merriman, gave a statement – full of football metaphors – regarding the guilty verdict:

“Today was a big day for Xavier Babodar. Since the beginning of this case, the government has been attacking and Xavier's pocket is collapsing, but today Xavier has stepped up to the pressure and taken responsibility for his actions. If I know anything about Xavier Babodar and if the Kingdom of Chiefs knows anything about Chief's Aholic , it is that even when Xavier was under pressure and stumbled and fell, he did not let his knee touch the ground, because he knew that there was still hope. Today Xavier stood humble and repentant before the eyes of the court and the eyes of the Kingdom of Chiefs. Xavier loves the Chiefs Kingdom, he loves his family, and he loves Kansas City. He just hopes you'll all rally to support him. ”

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 10, 2024, following the completion of the presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Full details of the individual robberies carried out by the 'Chiefsaholic' can be found at This version From the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Missouri.

More Chiefsaholic coverage: