Man from Albuquerque sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for armed robbery of medical supplies

ALBUQERQUE, N.M. – Joseph Matney, 41, of Albuquerque, was sentenced in federal court on Nov. 16 to 18 years in prison for armed robbery of a pharmacy, theft of medical products and possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone and Alprazolam.

Matney pleaded guilty on Feb. 4. According to the plea agreement, Matney entered and robbed an Albuquerque pharmacy on Jan. 31, 2018. Matney and a juvenile accomplice held the employees at gunpoint and demanded opioid painkillers, anxiety pills and money from behind the counter. They fled with more than 2,500 pills before law enforcement arrived. On Feb. 12, 2018, law enforcement in Denver, Colorado, arrested Matney after searching his vehicle and finding 1,600 of the stolen prescription pills and a firearm.

Upon his release from prison, Matney will be subject to 5 years of supervised release.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Albuquerque Police Department investigated this case with assistance from the Denver Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter J. Eicker prosecuted the case.