Oscar Anchondo Arrested on Criminal Complaint Alleging a Violation of the Federal Firearms Laws

ALBUQUERQUE – Oscar Anchondo, 38, of Albuquerque, N.M., has been arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with violating the federal firearms laws.  Anchondo made his initial appearance in federal court this morning and remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and detention hearing, both scheduled for tomorrow morning.

Anchondo’s arrest was announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez, Special Agent in Charge Thomas G. Atteberry of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Chief Tom Romero of the Bernalillo Police Department, Chief Gorden Eden, Jr., of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), and Chief Michael Geier of the Rio Rancho Police Department.

The criminal complaint alleges that Anchondo unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition on Oct. 6, 2015, in Sandoval County, N.M.  According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 6, 2015, a resident of the Town of Bernalillo called the Bernalillo Police Department to report a stolen vehicle.  The victim reported that Anchondo stole the vehicle after threatening to kill her; Anchondo allegedly was armed when he made the threat.  Officers responded to the call and located the vehicle parked in the driveway of another residence in Bernalillo.  In response to an inquiry from the officers, an occupant of the residence allegedly said that Anchondo was in the residence.

According to the criminal complaint, officers conducted surveillance at the residence until they observed Anchondo leave the residence.  Anchondo allegedly held a firearm under his chin as he walked to and got into the stolen vehicle.  Anchondo then fled from the area and eventually got stuck in a muddy area.  Anchondo was taken into custody after he allegedly fled on foot to another residence.  Thereafter the officers allegedly found a revolver in the stolen vehicle that was abandoned in the mud.

According to court records, on Oct. 6, 2015, Anchondo was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of the following felony offenses in state court: armed robbery with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery with a deadly weapon, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

If convicted of the charge in the criminal complaint, Anchondo faces a statutory maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison.  Charges in criminal complaints are mere accusations.  Defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.

This case was investigated by the ATF office in Albuquerque and the Bernalillo Police Department with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department and the Rio Rancho Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Brawley as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution.  Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders based on their criminal histories for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.  Because New Mexico’s violent crime rates, on a per capita basis, are amongst the highest in the nation, New Mexico’s law enforcement community is collaborating to target repeat offenders from counties with the highest violent crime rates, including Bernalillo County, under this initiative.