ALBUQUERQUE – Anthony Hernandez, 32, of Albuquerque, is headed to federal prison for 47 months following convictions in two separate jury trials within a six-month span. Hernandez, a convicted felon already barred from owning firearms, was first found with a stolen 9mm pistol after a hail of gunfire near an apartment complex in southeast Albuquerque on October 26, 2021. ShotSpotter alerts and frantic 911 calls brought Albuquerque Police Department officers to the scene, where Hernandez was caught trying to duck behind a wall.
The initial charge – being a felon in possession of a firearm – landed Hernandez in pretrial detention, a decision he quickly regretted. Court records detail a disturbing pattern of violence while awaiting trial. On November 15, 2022, Hernandez launched a brutal attack on a CoreCivic security contractor, leaving the officer with a concussion and a fractured nose. This prompted a second indictment: assaulting a federal officer resulting in bodily injury.
But the violence didn’t stop there. Investigators uncovered further assaults on both fellow inmates and correctional officers. Hernandez even fashioned a makeshift weapon while incarcerated, further escalating his dangerous behavior. A search of his cell revealed not only the sharpened weapon but also a stash of methamphetamine, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the law even within the confines of the detention center.
A three-day trial in January 2025 cemented Hernandez’s fate. A federal jury found him guilty on the assault charge, marking his second jury conviction in less than six months. The evidence painted a clear picture of a man prone to violence and unwilling to respect authority. The federal system offers no parole, meaning Hernandez will serve the full 47-month sentence.
“This sentencing sends a clear message: those who illegally possess firearms and then commit further violence, especially against those sworn to protect us, will be held accountable,” stated U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. United States Marshal David Barnett echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of protecting federal officers from harm. Hernandez will face three years of supervised release upon his eventual discharge from prison.
The Albuquerque Police Department spearheaded the investigation into the initial firearm possession charge, while the United States Marshals Service focused on the assault on the federal officer. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Elena Stiteler and Kimberly Bell successfully prosecuted the case, securing the 47-month sentence and removing a dangerous individual from the streets of Albuquerque. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on further developments.
Related Federal Cases
- Carlsbad Felon Christopher Reza Gets Ten-Year Penalty for Narcotics & Gun Law Violation · New Mexico
- Smith Gets 10 Years for Stolen Gun Stash · New Mexico
- Carlsbad Felon Gets Five-Year Sentence for Gun Possession · New Mexico
- Floyd Sherrell Gets 57 Months for Meth, Gun Trafficking · New Mexico
- Pojoaque Pueblo Man Gets Twenty Years for Assault and Firearms Conviction · New Mexico
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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