ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Federal prosecutors have announced that 26-year-old Procopio Montoya Atkinson has pleaded guilty to several crimes. Atkinson was arrested after what the U.S. Department of Justice calls a “violent crime spree” that occurred in late 2021.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says Atkinson robbed an Albuquerque Dollar General store using a firearm in November of 2021. Then, about a month later, Atkinson assaulted a U.S. Marshal Service Task Force Officer during an arrest attempt, the DOJ says.
A few days later, Atkinson committed a carjacking. The DOJ accused Atkinson of shooting a driver after running out of gas and getting into a struggle.
Now, Atkinson has pled guilty to five crimes. Those include interference with commerce by robbery, assault upon a federal officer involving the use of a deadly weapon, carjacking, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. For the crimes, Atkinson faces at least 10 years in prison, but could be sentenced to up to life in prison.
Atkinson’s sentencing has not yet been scheduled. The DOJ also notes that there is no parole within the federal sentencing system.
