Two men, Alexander Sánchez-Morales and Bryan Merced-Bigio, face a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted of an armed robbery that took place in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
According to the Government’s allegations, on October 10, 2024, Sánchez-Morales and a co-conspirator followed a woman and her two young children to a residence above the China City restaurant, where the defendants forced their way into the residence and beat the husband in the head with a machinegun.
The defendants stole hundreds of dollars related to the restaurant business before fleeing upon arrival of agents from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.
“The armed robbery allegedly committed by these individuals was a horrific home invasion that spread fear through the community,” said United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow.
Combating violent crime is among the highest of priorities for the federal law enforcement agencies in Puerto Rico. There is nothing more important than protecting our communities and keeping law-abiding citizens safe in their own homes.
Christopher A. Robinson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Miami Field Division, stated that this indictment represents continuing ATF efforts in the fight against violent crime and those who use machineguns to further their violent activities.
“Part of our mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of every individual. I want to emphasize that when we say ‘everyone,’ we truly mean all people, irrespective of their legal status or any other factors that might make them hesitant to report a federal crime,” stated Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.
If convicted on all counts, the defendants face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeanette Collazo and Jonathan Gottfried of the Violent Crimes Section are in charge of the prosecution of the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is in charge of the investigation with the collaboration of the FBI.
Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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