Man from Albuquerque pleads guilty to federal firearm and attempted carjacking charges

          ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – James Hawley, 35, of Albuquerque, pleaded guilty on Aug. 9 in federal court to attempted carjacking and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hawley was indicted by federal grand jury on Aug. 28, 2019.

          According to the plea agreement, on July 27, 2019, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, Hawley attempted to carjack a victim at gunpoint. Hawley approached the victim while she was stopped at a red-light and pointed his firearm at her. The victim drove through the intersection to escape Hawley as he attempted to open the car door. Hawley was later found and disarmed by paramedics.

          Hawley is currently in custody pending sentencing. He faces 15 years in prison.

          The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Albuquerque Resident Agency and the Albuquerque Police Department investigated this case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Trembley is prosecuting the case.