Three Defendants Sentenced to Federal Prison for Coordinated ATM Theft Conspiracy in Louisiana and Texas

Three individuals residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Houston, Texas, were recently sentenced to federal prison by U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson for their roles in a conspiracy to commit bank burglary and bank theft. The defendants had previously entered guilty pleas to the charges against them.

Deantae D. Mason, 26, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, received a sentence of 24 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $285,120 in restitution and forfeit $95,039.99.

Alex A. Mata, 23, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment, also followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $285,120 in restitution and forfeit $95,039.99.

Brandon C. Griffin, Jr., 26, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 12 months and one day imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Griffin was ordered to pay $106,120 in restitution and forfeit $35,373.33.

According to admissions made during their guilty pleas, local law enforcement was alerted to a series of attempted and successful ATM burglaries in the Baton Rouge area. The incidents shared common characteristics and methods, including the use of stolen vehicles—typically large trucks—and tow straps to forcibly open ATM doors or remove the machines entirely from their concrete bases.

Members of the conspiracy conducted surveillance of banks to identify potential ATM targets and scouted nearby areas for large trucks to steal. During the burglaries, some members acted as lookouts while others executed the thefts.

One notable incident involved an ATM at a Pelican State Credit Union branch on N. Lobdell Boulevard in Baton Rouge. The ATM was ripped from its concrete base and destroyed, with approximately $106,120 stolen. Mason, Griffin, and Mata admitted to participating in this burglary.

Subsequently, an ATM at a Neighbors Federal Credit Union branch on Howell Boulevard in Baton Rouge was burglarized, resulting in the theft of approximately $179,000 and significant damage to the ATM. Mason and Mata admitted involvement in this incident as well.

U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baton Rouge Police Department, and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Vick and Will Morris, the latter serving as Criminal Chief.

This sentencing highlights the federal government’s commitment to prosecuting organized criminal activity targeting financial institutions and protecting community assets from theft and destruction.

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