Española man sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for robbery, assault, and firearms crimes

               ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Michael Duran, 33, of Española, New Mexico, and a member of the Ohkay Owingeh tribe, was sentenced in federal court in Albuquerque on Oct. 21 to 16 years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of robbery, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

              According to court records, on two separate occasions Duran entered a business with the intent to rob it with a firearm.  On Oct. 1, 2017, Duran entered the San Pedro Shell gas station and store located near Española on the Santa Clara Pueblo, pointed a firearm at the store clerk and demanded money from the cash register.  Duran got away with $50 in cash and several boxes of cigarettes. On Oct. 16, 2017, Duran approached the walk-up order window at the El Parasol Restaurant in Española, also on the Santa Clara Pueblo, and demanded money while pointing a firearm at a restaurant employee.  Duran fired his weapon into the business and fled the scene.  No one was injured.

              Upon his release from prison, Duran will serve three years of supervised release.

            The Bureau of Indian Affairs – Northern Pueblo Agency investigated this case with assistance from the Española Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys David P. Cowen and Jennifer M. Rozzoni prosecuted the case.