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Press Release

Andrew Steven Romero Charged with Violating Federal Firearms Laws

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico
Romero Prosecuted Pursuant to Federal “Worst of the Worst” Anti-Violence Initiative

ALBUQUERQUE – Andrew Steven Romero, 28, of Albuquerque, N.M., has been charged with violating the federal firearms laws in a criminal complaint filed by the FBI earlier today.  The federal charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez and Special Agent in Charge Carol K.O. Lee of the Albuquerque Division of the FBI.

The criminal complaint charges Romero with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.  It alleges that Romero unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition on May 25 and May 26, 2015, in Bernalillo County, N.M.  According to the criminal complaint, Romero was prohibited from possessing either firearms or ammunition because he previously has been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including voluntary manslaughter, tampering with evidence and aggravated assault.

Romero was arrested on May 26, 2015, on related state charges and currently is in state custody.  He will be transferred to federal custody to answer to the federal charge in the criminal complaint.

If convicted of the charge in the criminal complaint, Romero faces up to ten years in federal prison.  If the court determines that Romero is an armed career criminal, he faces an enhanced sentence of a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison to a maximum of life imprisonment.

Charges in criminal complaints are mere accusations.  Defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.

This case was investigated by a multi-jurisdictional team that includes the Albuquerque offices of the FBI and ATF and the Multi-Agency Officer Involved Shooting Task Force, which is comprised of officers from the Albuquerque Police Department, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, the New Mexico State Police and the Rio Rancho Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Brawley is prosecuting the case.

This case is being prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution.  Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.

 

andrew_steven_romero_criminal_complaint.pdf (2.32 MB)

Updated May 29, 2015