Albuquerque Man Gets 18 Years for Pharmacy Heist

Joseph Matney, 41, of Albuquerque, is headed to federal prison for 18 years after robbing a pharmacy at gunpoint and stealing more than 2,500 prescription pills in a brazen January 2018 heist. The armed robbery, which unfolded behind the counter of a local drugstore, targeted opioid painkillers and anti-anxiety medication—fueling what prosecutors called a calculated drug distribution scheme.

Matney entered the pharmacy on Jan. 31, 2018, accompanied by a juvenile accomplice. Both men brandished a firearm, forced employees to the ground, and demanded Oxycodone, Alprazolam, and cash. With guns trained on staff, they emptied shelves and drawers before fleeing the scene. The entire robbery took less than five minutes, but the fallout has reverberated across state lines.

Less than two weeks later, on Feb. 12, 2018, Matney was apprehended in Denver, Colorado. Law enforcement searched his vehicle and recovered 1,600 of the stolen prescription pills—most still in their original packaging—along with a loaded firearm. The discovery linked him directly to the Albuquerque robbery and provided evidence of intent to distribute controlled substances.

Matney pleaded guilty on Feb. 4 in federal court to armed robbery of medical supplies, theft of prescription drugs, and possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone and Alprazolam. The plea agreement laid bare the severity of his actions, with prosecutors emphasizing the danger posed to pharmacy workers and the broader public from flooding the streets with powerful narcotics.

Sentenced on Nov. 16 in Albuquerque federal court, Matney will serve 18 years behind bars. Upon release, he will face an additional 5 years of supervised release, during which he will be monitored for compliance with federal conditions. The sentence reflects the federal crackdown on violent drug-related crimes, especially those involving firearms.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Albuquerque Police Department led the investigation, with critical support from the Denver Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter J. Eicker prosecuted the case, calling it a clear example of how drug-fueled violence infiltrates local communities. “Robbing a pharmacy isn’t just theft—it’s a direct attack on public safety,” Eicker said in a statement following sentencing.