Toppenish Man Gets 13.5 Years for Violent Armed Robbery

A 42-year-old Toppenish man has been handed a 13.5-year prison sentence for a violent armed robbery in Yakima, Washington.

Eduardo Valencia, 42, of Toppenish, was sentenced to 162 months in federal prison by Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian on charges of Robbery Affecting Commerce and Using, Carrying, or Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.

Valencia was convicted of the crimes on March 6, 2024, following a jury trial. He will also face 5 years of federal supervision after his release from prison.

The violent armed robbery occurred on November 18, 2020, at the La Milpa Market in Yakima, Washington. Valencia and an accomplice walked into the store, pulled out firearms, and demanded money from the clerk, threatening to kill them. The duo then ran behind the counter, fought with the clerk, and pistol-whipped them before making off with around $10,000.

Both men were masked during the robbery, but Valencia was later identified through DNA on a glove that he dropped during the fight with the clerk.

“All people in Eastern Washington deserve to be safe at work. Mr. Valencia’s violent robbery and assault on a store clerk caused lasting trauma that will continue even after this case concludes,” stated United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref. “My office is committed to safeguarding our neighborhoods and communities by aggressively prosecuting those who resort to violence.”

“Mr. Valencia’s actions clearly warranted this sentence,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “Using a firearm in the commission of an already violent crime only further increases the danger to those involved, and to the public in general.”

The case was investigated by the ATF and Yakima Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom Hanlon.