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Press Release

Albuquerque Felon Charged with Violating Federal Firearms Laws

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

ALBUQUERQUE – Timothy W. Mims, 28, of Albuquerque, N.M., made his initial appearance today in federal court on a criminal complaint charging him with violating the federal firearms laws by unlawfully possessing a firearm.  The firearm at issue allegedly was stolen from a bank security guard and used to perpetuate a bank robbery on Sept. 23, 2017.  Mims remains in custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing both of which are scheduled at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning.   

 

The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) arrested Mims on Sept. 23, 2017, in Bernalillo County, N.M., after observing Mims driving an alleged stolen vehicle and attempting to evade arrest.  According to the complaint, APD officers found a firearm in the vehicle during an inventory search incident to Mims’ arrest. 

 

The criminal complaint alleges that the firearm found in the vehicle on Sept. 23, 2017, allegedly was stolen on Sept. 14, 2017, by a man who entered the Bank of America located at 6605 Uptown Blvd. in Albuquerque, armed with a semi-automatic pistol.  The man allegedly pointed his pistol at an armed security guard, pressing the pistol into the ribs of the guard above his bulletproof vest.  The man then allegedly stole the security guard’s revolver and used it to rob the bank.  The serial number and description of the security guard’s revolver match the serial number and description of the firearm found in the stolen vehicle allegedly operated by Mims on Sept. 23, 2017. 

 

Mims was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition on Sept. 14, 2017 and Sept. 23, 2017, because of his prior convictions for felony offenses, which include convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and robbery.

 

If convicted of the crime charged in the criminal complaint, Mims faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison.  Charges in criminal complaints are mere accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.

 

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and APD.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard R. Thomas is prosecuting the case under 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 primarily based on their prior criminal convictions for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.

Updated September 25, 2017

Topics
Firearms Offenses
Violent Crime