Albuquerque man facing federal carjacking and firearms charges

             ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Santiago JonDaniel “Hush” Rooks, 21, of Albuquerque, made his initial appearance in federal court on Jan. 25 where he was charged with carjacking, brandishing a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Rooks will remain detained pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 27.

            According to a criminal complaint, on Jan. 4, Rooks allegedly approached a victim in a driveway in southwest Albuquerque, pulled a gun from his waistband and demanded the keys for the victim’s truck. The victim relinquished his keys and Rooks allegedly fled in the vehicle.

            A Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Deputy located the truck on I-25 and briefly gave chase before ceasing pursuit for safety after the vehicle left the interstate. Following the direction the vehicle had taken, the deputy found the truck abandoned with the doors left open. A loaded pistol was found inside the truck.

            Rooks has prior felony convictions for receiving and/or transferring a stolen vehicle and aggravated assault. As a convicted felon, Rooks cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

            A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Rooks faces a minimum of seven years and up to life in prison.

            The FBI and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Outler is prosecuting the case.