Ashley Herrera Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery Attempt

Hard-hitting news from the federal courts: Ashley Herrera, a 28-year-old resident of Espanola, N.M., has pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to rob the Bank of America branch on Rodeo Road in Santa Fe. The grim details of the crime were laid bare this morning as Herrera stood before the judge.

Herrera was nabbed by law enforcement officials back in July 2016, following a botched attempt at robbing the bank on August 12, 2015. She was indicted for her actions later that month and charged with attempted bank robbery.

According to court documents, Herrera handed a terrorizing note to a bank teller, threatening to shoot if her demands weren’t met. She fled the scene empty-handed but wasn’t free for long – her fingerprints were found on the demand note, leading to her arrest.

In today’s hearing, Herrera admitted to her crime and faced the music. Sentencing could see her locked up for up to 20 years in federal prison. A date for the sentencing hearing has yet to be finalized.

This case was a collaborative effort between the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the Santa Fe Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shana B. Long and Peter J. Eicker are handling the prosecution.

Stay tuned as this grim tale plays out in federal court. The Grimy Times will be on the scene with all the gritty details.