Darrel Salazar, Bank Robbery and Firearms Violation, New Mexico 2016

Bank Robbery and Firearms Violation Lands Albuquerque Man Behind Bars

Albuquerque, New Mexico – In a shocking turn of events, Darrel Salazar, 48, of Albuquerque, N.M., has pleaded guilty to brandishing a firearm during an attempted armed bank robbery.

According to the FBI, Salazar attempted to rob the branch of the Bank of America located at 3101 Carlisle Blvd. NE in Albuquerque on January 11, 2016. During the attempted robbery, Salazar allegedly passed a note demanding cash to a bank teller and brandished a firearm at the teller.

Salazar was arrested on January 12, 2016, by the FBI on a criminal complaint charging him with attempted bank robbery. He was subsequently indicted on February 9, 2016, and charged with robbing the Wells Fargo Bank located at 5555 Montgomery Blvd., on January 11, 2016; the attempted bank robbery of the Bank of America located at 3101 Carlisle Blvd. on January 11, 2016, and brandishing a firearm during the attempted bank robbery of the Bank of America on January 11, 2016.

During today’s proceedings, Salazar pled guilty to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. In entering the guilty plea, Salazar admitted that on January 11, 2016, he entered the Bank of America on 3101 Carlisle Blvd. in Albuquerque, armed with a firearm. Salazar further admitted that he approached the bank teller, passed a handwritten note demanding money and brandished a firearm at the teller when the teller failed to comply with his demand.

At sentencing, Salazar faces a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years and a maximum of life in prison. Salazar remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Walsh is prosecuting the case.

The charges against Salazar include brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, attempted bank robbery, and robbery of the Wells Fargo Bank. The crime was committed in Bernalillo County, N.M.

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