Shakeam Kinney, Armed Robberies, New Mexico 2020

In a shocking turn of events, Shakeam Kinney, 32, of Albuquerque, was sentenced in federal court on June 10, 2020 to 22 years and five months in prison for interfering with interstate commerce by robbery and violence, possessing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Kinney pleaded guilty on February 7, 2020. The harsh sentence comes after a string of brazen armed robberies that left Albuquerque residents on high alert.

According to the plea agreement and other court records, on March 19, 2018, Kinney and his accomplice, Lalonzo Simmons, 46, entered an Albuquerque business through the back of the store armed with firearms when they encountered two employees. Kinney demanded the phone of one of the employees, and when the employee initially did not give Kinney the phone, Kinney discharged his weapon.

Shortly after, Kinney and Simmons fled the store after taking the money from the register. The duo’s next target was an Albuquerque marijuana dispensary, which they robbed at gunpoint on April 3, 2018. Kinney and Simmons fled the store with stolen money and large amounts of marijuana.

The violent crime spree continued on May 1, 2018, when Kinney and Simmons robbed another Albuquerque dispensary at gunpoint. Kinney entered the business and discharged his weapon into the ceiling, demanding money and merchandise and threatening an employee. Kinney and Simmons fled the store with stolen money and marijuana.

Kinney was arrested by law enforcement at his apartment soon after. On December 26, 2019, Simmons pleaded guilty to interfering with interstate commerce by robbery and violence, possessing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Simmons is currently in custody awaiting sentencing, which has not been scheduled yet. Upon his release from prison, Kinney will be subject to five years of supervised release. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Albuquerque Police Department investigated the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Trembley prosecuted the case.

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