South American Woman Pleads Guilty to Sacramento-Area Bank Robberies

Maite Celis Silva, 27, of Chile, admitted to bank robbery and conspiracy charges as part of a sophisticated theft group.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A 27-year-old woman from Chile named Maite Celis Silva has pleaded guilty to bank robbery and conspiracy charges for her role in a string of ATM thefts across California, Oregon, and Washington. Prosecutors say Celis Silva was part of a South American theft group that used tactics like rented vacation homes, disguises, blowtorches, and cellphone jammers to target banks and ATMs, stealing over $5.5 million in total.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing threat of transnational criminal organizations targeting banks and ATMs across the West Coast, with sophisticated methods that have allowed them to steal millions. Law enforcement agencies from multiple cities and states worked together on this investigation as part of a nationwide initiative to combat these types of organized criminal groups.

The details

Celis Silva pleaded guilty on Monday to bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery charges. Prosecutors say she and her co-conspirators rented short-term vacation rentals near their intended targets, which they used as a base to prepare for the robberies. The theft group allegedly used tactics like rented cars from the black market, construction-crew disguises, blowtorches, and cellphone jammers to break into the banks and ATMs.

  • Celis Silva pleaded guilty on Monday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Maite Celis Silva

A 27-year-old woman from Chile who pleaded guilty to bank robbery and conspiracy charges as part of a sophisticated South American theft group.

U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California

The federal prosecutors who announced Celis Silva's guilty plea and charges against her and her co-conspirators.

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What’s next

Celis Silva is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1, 2026. Prosecutors say nine other members of the theft group have also been charged.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for continued collaboration between law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels to combat the growing threat of organized criminal groups targeting financial institutions with increasingly sophisticated methods.