Joseph Matney, Armed Robbery, New Mexico 2018
Pharmacy Robbery in Albuquerque Leaves Trail of Destruction
A brazen armed robbery at an Albuquerque pharmacy in 2018 left a community shaken and has now led to a guilty plea in federal court.
According to court documents, Joseph Matney, 40, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, entered and robbed a local pharmacy on January 31, 2018, holding employees at gunpoint and demanding opioid painkillers, anxiety pills, and money. Matney, accompanied by a juvenile accomplice, made off with over 2,500 pills before law enforcement arrived.
The investigation that followed was a collaborative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Albuquerque Police Department, and the Denver Police Department. On February 12, 2018, law enforcement in Denver arrested Matney after searching his vehicle and discovering 1,600 of the stolen prescription pills and a firearm.
Matney is currently in custody pending sentencing, facing seven to 30 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter J. Eicker is prosecuting the case. The plea agreement outlines the details of the crime and the subsequent arrest.
The robbery and subsequent investigation have left the community reeling, with many left to wonder how such a brazen crime could occur in broad daylight. The guilty plea is a step towards justice for the victims of this heinous crime.
Matney's guilty plea comes after months of investigation and collaboration between law enforcement agencies. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of community partnerships in the fight against crime.
The details of the case are as follows:
Defendant: Joseph Matney
Criminal Charges: Armed Robbery of a Pharmacy, Theft of Medical Products, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone and Alprazolam
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Date: January 31, 2018 (crime date), February 12, 2018 (arrest date)
Sentence: Seven to 30 years in prison
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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