Man from Albuquerque sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for robbery and firearms charges

            ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Anthony Romero, 38, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was sentenced in federal court in Albuquerque on Dec.16 to more than 14 years (171 months) in prison for interference with interstate commerce by robbery and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

            Romero pleaded guilty to these offenses on Sept. 3.  In his plea agreement, he admitted robbing a pizza restaurant in Albuquerque on May 9, 2017.  Romero went to a drive-through window and threatened an employee with a firearm.  He fired two shots from a .45 caliber revolver and then entered the restaurant through the window where he forced the employee to empty three cash registers.  Romero fled the scene with the money in a leather bag.  In Romero’s plea agreement, he also admitted to committing other robberies the same day.

            The FBI investigated the case with the Albuquerque Police Department.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Trembley prosecuted the case as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s “SAUSA Partnership” with the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, a joint initiative designed to reduce violent crime in Albuquerque.