Belen Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Six Businesses

ALBUQUERQUE - A previously convicted felon pleaded guilty in federal court to committing armed robberies of six Albuquerque businesses over a span of six days in 2023. At the time of the offenses, the defendant was wanted for a violation of the terms of his federal supervised release.

Brandon Sanchez, 30, of Belen, pleaded guilty to six counts of interference with commerce by threats and violence by robbing six Albuquerque businesses:

• Jan. 4, 2023: Little Caesars at Montgomery and San Pedro.
• Jan. 4, 2023: Subway at San Mateo and McLeod.
• Jan 8, 2023: Little Caesars at Montano and Fourth Street.
• Jan 9, 2023: Starbucks at San Mateo and Pan American.
• Jan. 9, 2023: Big 5 Sporting Goods at Wyoming and Paseo.
• Jan 9, 2023: Domino's at Holly and San Pedro.

At the time, Sanchez was on federal supervised release for a 2022 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, for which he served 27 months in prison.

The Court ordered that Sanchez remain in detention pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Sanchez faces up to 20 years in prison as to each count, followed by three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made the announcement today. The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the United States Marshals Service and Albuquerque Police Department. The United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.

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