Albuquerque Man Sentenced to 47 Months in Federal Prison Following Two Jury Convictions in Six Months

ALBUQUERQUE — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - New Mexico), published as received.

ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 47 months in prison following two separate jury convictions in less than six months.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, on October 26, 2021, Albuquerque Police Department officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert and multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire and a man brandishing a weapon outside an apartment complex in southeast Albuquerque. Upon arrival, officers located Anthony Hernandez, 32, a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, attempting to hide behind a wall. A search of the area led to the recovery of a stolen 9mm pistol. Witnesses identified Hernandez as the individual seen with the firearm and spent shell casings were recovered at the scene.

Hernandez was federally charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and, following a jury trial in October 2024, was convicted on that charge.

While in pretrial detention, Hernandez committed multiple violent assaults. On November 15, 2022, he attacked a CoreCivic security contractor, causing serious injuries including a concussion and a nasal fracture. Hernandez was subsequently indicted for assaulting a federal officer resulting in bodily injury.

Further investigation revealed Hernandez’s involvement in additional assaults on fellow inmates and correctional officers, including an incident involving a homemade weapon. Contraband, including a sharpened weapon and methamphetamine, was also found in his possession during his time in custody.

In January 2025, following a three-day trial, a federal jury found Hernandez guilty of assaulting a federal officer causing bodily injury—his second jury conviction in six months.

Upon his release from prison, Hernandez will be subject to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and United States Marshal David Barnett made the announcement today.

The Albuquerque Police Department investigated the felon in possession case and the United States Marshals Service investigated the assault on the officer. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Elena Stiteler and Kimberly Bell are prosecuting the case.