Man from Albuquerque sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for armed robberies

             ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Jared Barnhill, 29, of Albuquerque, New Mexico was sentenced in federal court on Dec. 1 to 18 years in prison on three counts of interference with interstate commerce by robbery and violence and two counts of using, carrying, or possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.

            In Barnhill’s plea agreement, he admitted to committing three armed robberies of businesses in Albuquerque. On June 28, 2018, Barnhill robbed a gas station convenience store. He entered the store, brandished a gun, and demanded money and merchandise from an employee. Barnhill robbed another business on July 3, 2018, and a third business on July 5, 2018.   

              A co-defendant in the case, Jeyden Barnhill, pleaded guilty on Oct. 24, 2019, to interference with interstate commerce by robbery and violence. Barnhill was sentenced to 46 months in prison. Another co-defendant, Samuel Perez, was indicted on Apr. 24, 2019 and is still awaiting trial.  Charges in an indictment are only accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

            The FBI investigated this case with the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Outler prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.