End Of The Trail For 'CowboyBandit'

AUSTIN, Texas - (10/01/04) -- The 'Cowboy Bandit' who robbedTravis County CU and seven area banks earlier this year, is hangingup his gun and spurs. Ernest Rodriguez, Jr., 44, faces up to 20years in prison on each robbery count and 10 years for being aconvicted felon in possession of a firearm after pleading guiltyWednesday to eight armed robberies and the weapons charge.Rodriguez got the nickname because he always wore a large cowboyhat concealing his face during his robberies. His biggest take was$11,660 his stole from Travis County CU last March. Rodriguez wasarrested in an undercover sting operation in which police stakedout several area banks believing he would return.