Simon Meza, a 45-year-old Denver resident, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release after being convicted on two counts of bank robbery. The sentencing follows his September 2025 trial conviction and an earlier guilty plea for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to evidence presented at trial and during sentencing, Meza robbed the Huntington Bank on East Green Valley Ranch Boulevard in Denver on September 20, 2023. Eight days later, he robbed the PNC Bank on West 32nd Avenue. In both incidents, Meza demanded money from tellers before fleeing with cash. During the second robbery, the stolen money included a GPS tracker that allowed law enforcement to locate him in a rented truck near the scene.
When officers attempted to arrest him, Meza led them on a high-speed chase through Denver. During the pursuit, he fired one round from a Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun at police, striking their vehicle’s front bumper. The chase ended after Meza caused a four-car accident at 44th Avenue and Harlan Street in Wheat Ridge. He then fled on foot but was apprehended by Denver Police officers who recovered both the stolen money and loaded firearm from the truck.
United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly stated: “This conviction and sentence should send a clear message to anyone considering robbing a bank in Colorado. Bank robbery is a serious crime with serious penalties that you will pay. Colorado is safer with this repeat offender serving a lengthy sentence in federal prison.”
Marvin Massey, Acting Special Agent In Charge of FBI Denver, commented: “Here we have a previous offender who could have taken advantage of state and federal opportunities to rehabilitate himself. Instead, he robbed two banks and fired on the officer who gave chase when he fled. Clearly the community is safer with this defendant back behind bars. The FBI Denver Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task force will continue to work with our local partners to get violent offenders like this off the streets.”
The case was presided over by United States District Judge Regina M. Rodriguez.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI Denver Field Office, Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, and Denver Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Brian Dunn and Thomas Minser prosecuted the case.
