Demetrius Bailey Sentenced

An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 22 years in prison for committing a series of armed robberies that targeted retail stores across the city in 2023. Demetrius Antonnie Bailey, 41, and an accomplice committed a series of armed robberies at multiple locations, including Harbor Freight Tools, Metro by T-Mobile, T-Mobile, Verizon, and JC Penney.

According to court documents, between July 11 and September 16, 2023, Bailey and his accomplice brandished a BB gun, a toy gun, and, in one instance, a real handgun to threaten employees and security while stealing electronics, cell phones, cash, and clothing valued at tens of thousands of dollars.

At the time of his arrest on September 28, 2023, Bailey, a repeat violent offender with prior armed robbery convictions, was in possession of a stolen firearm. This latest conviction will see Bailey serving a significant amount of time behind bars, with no possibility of parole in the federal system.

Bailey pleaded guilty to 10 counts, including interference with commerce by robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. Upon his release from prison, Bailey will be subject to five years of supervised release, ensuring that he will be closely monitored by law enforcement.

The investigation into Bailey’s crime spree was led by the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department and the New Mexico Department of Justice. U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement of Bailey’s sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Elena Stiteler and Natasha Moghadam prosecuted the case, securing a significant conviction against a repeat offender. The sentence of 22 years in prison serves as a warning to those who would engage in violent crime in Albuquerque, and demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement to keeping the community safe.

The case against Bailey is a testament to the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in New Mexico, and their dedication to bringing violent offenders to justice. As Bailey begins his sentence, the community can rest assured that one more dangerous individual is off the streets, and that justice has been served.

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