Man from Albuquerque pleads guilty to three armed robberies of local businesses

            ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Jared Barnhill, 29, of Albuquerque, New Mexico pleaded guilty in federal court today to 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 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 obtained around $30 in cash and $3000 in store merchandise during the robbery. Barnhill robbed another business on July 3, 2018.  This time he obtained around $200 in cash and $13,500 in merchandise.  On July 5, 2018, Barnhill robbed a third business, obtaining over $900 in cash and $11,000 worth of merchandise.  

            Jared Barnhill is currently in custody awaiting sentencing. He has agreed to serve 18 years in prison under the terms of his plea agreement.

            A co-defendant in the case, Jeyden Barnhill, pleaded guilty to Oct. 24, 2019, to interference with interstate commerce by robbery and violence. Jeyden Barnhill was sentenced to 46 months in prison. Another co-defendant, Samuel Perez, is scheduled to go to trial on April 6.  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. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Thomas A. Outler 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.