Federal Charges for Interfering with Interstate Commerce and Brandishing a Firearm

SAN JUAN, PR—Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Leff, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Juan Field Office, announced the arrest of Chris Joanny Goenaga Ortiz and Miguel A. Rivera Rivera.

On January 26, 2019, criminal complaints charged Chris Joanny Goenaga Ortiz, age 31, and Miguel A. Rivera Rivera, age 34, with Interfering with Commerce by Threats or Violence in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951; Using, Carrying, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924 (c)(1)(A) and Aiding and Abetting in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.

The charges are related to armed robberies of fast food restaurants in Juana Diaz on January 16, 2019, and Caguas on January 25, 2019. Goenaga Ortiz and Rivera Rivera were arrested by the Police of Puerto Rico on January 25, 2019, and taken into custody by the FBI on the listed charges. The FBI recognizes the bank robbery units from Ponce and Caguas for their investigative efforts and arrest of the subjects. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Jennifer Hernandez and is being investigated by the FBI.

The public’s help is essential for the FBI in investigating violent criminals and bringing them to justice. Public tips and information assist the FBI and its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Citizens with information are asked to contact the FBI San Juan Field Office at 787-754-6000, or to submit tips through the FBI’s tip line available on our website at: https://www.fbi.gov/tips. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

The public is reminded that criminal complaints and indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.