Texas man sentenced to 18 years in prison for deadly robbery

             ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Daniel Gonzales, 33, of Hereford, Texas, was sentenced in federal court on Sept. 20 to 18 years in prison for armed robbery and possession, brandishing and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime resulting in death.

            According to his plea agreement and other court records, on February 1, 2018, Gonzales and others, including co-defendant Daniel Martinez, 34, drove to a gas station in Edgewood, New Mexico, intending to rob it. Gonzales entered the gas station kiosk and took money from the counter while pointing a pistol at the attendant.  The attendant followed Gonzales out of the kiosk and attempted to grab him, when a gunshot from inside Gonzales’ vehicle struck and killed the attendant. Gonzales, Martinez and the others in the vehicle fled.

            Martinez is still awaiting trial. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

            Upon his release from prison, Gonzales will be subject to three years of supervised release.

            The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Mexico State Police investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Mysliwiec prosecuted the case.