The U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado sentenced a Denver man to 25 years in federal prison for bank robbery convictions, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Monday. Simon Meza, 45, received a 300-month prison term followed by three years of supervised release after a jury convicted him in September 2025 on two counts of bank robbery.
The sentencing concludes a federal prosecution that also included weapons charges. Meza pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in connection with the same criminal matter. The combined charges reflect a pattern of serious federal crimes that prosecutors argued warranted substantial prison time.
The conviction stems from bank robbery incidents that federal investigators linked to Meza through evidence presented during his September trial. Federal prosecutors successfully argued their case before a jury, which found Meza guilty on both bank robbery counts after deliberation. The weapons possession charge, which Meza acknowledged through his guilty plea, added another layer of federal criminal liability to the case.
Bank robbery carries severe federal penalties under federal banking laws, which treat attacks on federally insured financial institutions as serious crimes against the federal financial system. The statute provides for sentences up to 25 years in prison for each count, and the court's decision to impose the maximum sentence reflects the seriousness of Meza's crimes and his criminal history that made him ineligible to possess firearms.
The felon in possession charge indicates Meza had prior criminal convictions that prohibited him from legally owning or possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This enhancement often results in additional prison time and demonstrates a pattern of criminal behavior that courts consider during sentencing. Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of a felony from possessing firearms, and violations can result in up to 10 years in prison.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado handled the prosecution, working with federal law enforcement agencies to build the case against Meza. Federal bank robbery investigations typically involve the FBI, which has primary jurisdiction over crimes against federally insured financial institutions. The successful prosecution required coordination between multiple federal agencies to gather evidence and present a compelling case to the jury.
Meza's 25-year sentence reflects the federal sentencing guidelines' treatment of repeat offenders and violent crimes. Federal judges consider multiple factors when imposing sentences, including the defendant's criminal history, the nature and circumstances of the offense, and the need for deterrence. The maximum sentence suggests the court found aggravating factors that warranted the harshest available penalty under the statute.
The three-year supervised release period will begin after Meza completes his prison sentence. During supervised release, defendants must comply with court-ordered conditions that may include regular check-ins with probation officers, employment requirements, and restrictions on travel and associations. Violations of supervised release conditions can result in additional prison time.
Federal bank robbery prosecutions have declined in recent years as physical bank robberies have become less common, but they remain a priority for federal law enforcement when they occur. The crimes threaten public safety and the stability of the financial system, making them serious federal offenses that prosecutors pursue aggressively.
The case demonstrates the federal justice system's approach to career criminals who commit violent crimes involving federally protected institutions. The combination of bank robbery convictions and illegal weapons possession created a sentencing scenario where prosecutors could seek and obtain substantial prison time to protect public safety.
Meza will likely serve his sentence in a federal Bureau of Prisons facility, where he will be eligible for certain programs designed to reduce recidivism. However, federal inmates typically serve at least 85% of their sentences before becoming eligible for release, meaning Meza will likely spend more than 21 years in federal custody.
The sentencing brings closure to a case that began with the bank robbery incidents and progressed through federal investigation, indictment, trial, and conviction. The prosecution's success in obtaining convictions on all charges demonstrates the effectiveness of federal law enforcement's response to violent crimes against financial institutions.
This case serves as a deterrent to others who might consider similar crimes, showing that federal prosecutors will seek maximum penalties for bank robbery and related weapons offenses. The 25-year sentence represents one of the longer federal sentences for bank robbery in recent years in the District of Colorado, reflecting the court's determination to impose significant consequences for these serious federal crimes.