The Chiefs have constantly found themselves in the headlines since September, all the way through a Super Bowl 58 victory that made them the NFL's first back-to-back champion in 19 years. Few headlines have been more bizarre, however, than the developments of a criminal case against superfan "ChiefsAholic."
Xaviar Babudar, also known as ChiefsAholic, was one of the most recognizable Chiefs fans when he was arrested on bank robbery charges in late 2022. Since then, the case has only gotten more unbelievable, with authorities accusing Babudar of more crimes and the 29-year-old fan landing on Kansas City's "Most Wanted" list.
Several months after he was taken into custody, Babudar entered a guilty plea on Wednesday to bring the proceedings to near-conclusion.
Here's what you need to know about the charges against ChiefsAholic and what his guilty plea means.
MORE: Why the Chiefs signed former Bills punter Matt Araiza
ChiefsAholic charges, explained
Babudar was initially arrested in December 2022 after allegedly entering a bank with a handgun and stealing more than $150,000. While he was released on bail just ahead of Super Bowl 57 two months later, Babudar became a fugitive when he removed his ankle monitor in March. He was finally arrested again in July 2023.
Babudar was hit with 19 charges after the second arrest, including three counts of armed bank robbery and 11 counts of money laundering. Remaining charges were comprised of bank theft and transporting stolen property across state lines.
The U.S. Attorney's Office initially accused Babubar of robbing banks in four different states, totaling nearly $700,000. By Wednesday's guilty plea, Babudar was facing charges for 11 bank robberies across seven states, totaling more than $800,000.
ChiefsAholic pled guilty to only three charges as part of his plea deal: one count of bank robbery, one count of money laundering, and one count of transporting stolen property across state lines, though he admitted to 11 bank robberies.
While Babudar was able to reduce the charges to three counts, he still faces a potentially lengthy prison sentence. The deal calls for Babudar to serve a maximum of 50 years, though he won't be sentenced until July 10.
MORE: Why UCLA hired Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator
ChiefsAholic prison sentence
On Sept. 5, Babudar was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison without parole including three years of supervised release. The decision comes after the Chiefs superfan entered his guilty plea in February.
He apologized to his victims, to Kansas City and to his family at the sentencing, blowing his mother and brother a kiss as he left the courtroom in a yellow jumpsuit.
ChiefsAholic lawyer press conference
Just when it seemed the saga had come to a merciful end, Babudar's lawyer added to the absurdity of it all. Speaking to reporters after his client's guilty plea on Wednesday, attorney Matthew Merryman used a number of football puns to describe Babudar's decision.
"The government has been blitzing, and Xavier's pocket was collapsing. But today, Xaviar stepped into the pressure," Merryman said, calling his client "humble and repentant" in admitting to the crimes.
Merryman added that while Babudar "stumbled and he fell, he didn't let his knee touch the ground."
I have tried to stay away from ChiefsAholic news but his lawyer's opening comments today are just...
— PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) February 28, 2024
Just watch.. pic.twitter.com/NqtNJ3j3Qv
ChiefsAholic's July sentencing is one of the few steps left in the case, but Wednesday's press conference was a reminder of how bizarre the entire saga has been since it began in 2022.
MORE: Andy Reid says Taylor Swift baked homemade Pop-Tarts for Chiefs offensive linemen
Who is ChiefsAholic?
ChiefsAholic is Xaviar Babudar, a Chiefs superfan who was well known among Kansas City's fan base before he faced any criminal charges. One reason was the wolf costume Babubar wore every time he attended a game, allowing him to be pretty recognizable in the crowd.
Ironically, Babubar did everything he could to stay unrecognizable once authorities started pursuing him in 2022. Then, he went on the run again after removing his ankle monitor while out on bail in early 2023.
All the Chiefs have done since Babubar's initial arrest is win two more Super Bowls. He was initially released from custody days before Super Bowl 57, but Babubar stood no chance of becoming a free man before Kansas City's Super Bowl 58 victory.
