Alamo, N.M., Man Pleads Guilty to Convenience Store Robbery

ALBUQUERQUE – Ronnie Ganadonegro, 38, a member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Alamo, N.M., pleaded guilty this morning to a robbery charge.

Ganadonegro was arrested on Jan. 23, 2014, on a criminal complaint charging him with robbing the Tiis’ Tsoh Mini Mart in Alamo, which is located in the Navajo Indian Reservation, on Dec. 30, 2013.  Ganadonegro subsequently was indicted and charged with one count of robbery.

During today’s proceedings, Ganadonegro entered a guilty plea to the indictment and admitted robbing the Tiis’ Tsoh Mini Mart on Dec. 30, 2013.  According to the plea agreement, Ganadonegro approached the counter in the convenience store, pointed an air pistol at the cashier, and demanded the money from the cash register.  When the cashier opened the cash register, Ganadonegro grabbed the cash out of the register and fled on foot from the convenience store.

Ganadonegro has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.  At sentencing, Ganadonegro faces a statutory maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI, and the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Novaline D. Wilson and Marisa A. Lizarraga.