Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Bank Robbery Charge

ALBUQUERQUE – Kenneth Columbus Burwell, 54, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty this morning in federal court to a bank robbery charge. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Burwell will be sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Burwell was arrested in Nov. 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with robbing the US Bank branch located at 3000 Central Ave. SE in Albuquerque on Oct. 14, 2015. Burwell subsequently was indicted on Nov. 15, 2016, and charged with bank robbery.

During today’s proceedings, Burwell pled guilty to the indictment, and admitted that on Oct. 14, 2015, he robbed the US Bank branch by approaching the bank teller, demanding money, and threatening to shoot the teller if she pulled the alarm. Burwell further admitted that after threatening the teller, he pulled his shirt tight showing an impression of a gun-shaped item concealed beneath his clothing. Burwell remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Kraehe is prosecuting the case.