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Press Release

Albuquerque Man Charged with Using Explosive Device to Damage or Destroy Building Used in Interstate Commerce

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – David A. Hickman, 28, of Albuquerque, N.M., has been charged with using an explosive device to damage or destroy a building – the Old Navy store in the Pavilions at San Mateo shopping center in Albuquerque – used in interstate commerce.  The charge against Hickman was announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez, Special Agent in Charge Terry Wade of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division, Special Agent in Charge Thomas G. Atteberry of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Chief Gorden E. Eden, Jr., of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), and Chief David Downey of the Albuquerque Fire Department (AFD).

Hickman made his initial appearance in federal court this morning on a criminal complaint charging him with maliciously damaging or destroying, or attempting to damage or destroy, by means of fire or explosive, a building used in interstate commerce.  Hickman remains temporarily detained pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, both of which have yet to be scheduled.

According to the criminal complaint, APD officers arrested Hickman in the early hours of Nov. 26, 2016, and later transferred him into the custody of the FBI.  Hickman was arrested shortly after an APD officer responded to the Pavilions at San Mateo shopping center after hearing “small explosions” coming from the area.  The criminal complaint alleges that, when the officer arrived at the shopping center, he observed Hickman running into and out of the Old Navy store located in the shopping center, which was on fire.

If convicted on the charge in the criminal complaint, Hickman faces a statutory penalty of not less than five years and not more than 20 years in prison.  Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law. 

The investigation of this case, which is continuing, is being conducted by the Albuquerque Division of the FBI, the ATF office in Albuquerque, APD and AFD.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred J. Federici is prosecuting the case.

Updated November 28, 2016

Topics
Firearms Offenses
Violent Crime