An Albuquerque man has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for a series of armed robberies that occurred at various retail stores throughout the city in 2023. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office.
Court documents state that Demetrius Antonnie Bailey, 41, along with an accomplice, carried out multiple armed robberies between July 11 and September 16, 2023. The targeted businesses included Harbor Freight Tools, several Metro by T-Mobile locations, a T-Mobile store, a Verizon store, and JC Penney. During these incidents, Bailey and his accomplice used a BB gun, a toy gun, and on one occasion a real handgun to threaten employees and security personnel while stealing electronics, cell phones, cash, and clothing worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Bailey was arrested on September 28, 2023. At the time of his arrest he was found with a stolen firearm. He is described as a repeat violent offender with previous convictions for armed robbery.
Bailey pleaded guilty to ten counts including interference with commerce by robbery (also known as Hobbs Act robbery), brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. After serving his sentence he will be subject to five years of supervised release.
“There is no parole in the federal system,” the announcement stated.
The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office led the investigation with support from the Albuquerque Police Department and New Mexico Department of Justice. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Elena Stiteler and Natasha Moghadam are prosecuting the case.
