Mother of Bank Robbery Suspect Speaks Out; Says Her Son Is A Good Kid
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: October 8, 2012
"He's a good, fun, caring kid. Real sweet and nice. I know he didn't have a part in it," says Frank Esparza Jr.'s mother.
When Brandi Lillard, found out her 17-year-old son was arrested in connection to an Abilene bank robbery, she was confused.
"He was supposed to go look into opening a bank account, find out exactly what he needed to do or have. I mean I told him that and so I know that's where he was supposed to go," says Lillard.
There is surveillance video of her son, Frank Esparza Jr. going into the First Bank Texas thirty minutes prior to it being robbed by a gunman who is believed to be his father, Frank Esparza, Sr.
Three months ago father and son rekindled their relationship. Lillard tells me as long as her son's dad was clean of drugs she was ok with their meeting.
Lillard explains, "His father got out of prison, was driving an 18-wheeler. He was doing good, so I allowed them to see each other."
Next thing she knew, this happened.
"He's a known felon and it wouldn't surprise me if his dad said, 'Oh you went to the bank today? Oh really? Did you have to go open an account?' and you know, went behind him and robbed the place. I don't know for sure, but it wouldn't surprise me. That's his dad," Lillard describes.
This is not the first time Esparza, Sr. has used his son to execute a criminal act.
Lillard continues, "When frank was three months old, his dad robbed a Whataburger and he had my son with him. He doesn't care about nobody when he's on drugs."
Not even his own son.
"It's just sad to see a kid with so much potential and so smart to just be treated like a piece of [explicit], you know, just like he's a criminal now. And that's not him. That's not him at all," Lillard says.
When Brandi Lillard, found out her 17-year-old son was arrested in connection to an Abilene bank robbery, she was confused.
"He was supposed to go look into opening a bank account, find out exactly what he needed to do or have. I mean I told him that and so I know that's where he was supposed to go," says Lillard.
There is surveillance video of her son, Frank Esparza Jr. going into the First Bank Texas thirty minutes prior to it being robbed by a gunman who is believed to be his father, Frank Esparza, Sr.
Three months ago father and son rekindled their relationship. Lillard tells me as long as her son's dad was clean of drugs she was ok with their meeting.
Lillard explains, "His father got out of prison, was driving an 18-wheeler. He was doing good, so I allowed them to see each other."
Next thing she knew, this happened.
"He's a known felon and it wouldn't surprise me if his dad said, 'Oh you went to the bank today? Oh really? Did you have to go open an account?' and you know, went behind him and robbed the place. I don't know for sure, but it wouldn't surprise me. That's his dad," Lillard describes.
This is not the first time Esparza, Sr. has used his son to execute a criminal act.
Lillard continues, "When frank was three months old, his dad robbed a Whataburger and he had my son with him. He doesn't care about nobody when he's on drugs."
Not even his own son.
"It's just sad to see a kid with so much potential and so smart to just be treated like a piece of [explicit], you know, just like he's a criminal now. And that's not him. That's not him at all," Lillard says.
