Rio Rancho man sentenced for violent firearm related crimes in Albuquerque

After pleading guilty to carjacking and using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, a Rio Rancho man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to a May 10 announcement.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of Jan. 6, 2021, Daniel Pacheco, 31,of Rio Ranchoapproached the victim, brandished a firearm and struck her repeatedly. Pacheco stole the victim's purse and car keys before fleeing in her vehicle.

The victim’s car was equipped with an anti-theft GPS tracking device, allowing police to locate the vehicle at an apartment complex north of Old Town Albuquerque. When officers attempted to arrest Pacheco, he rammed police vehicles and fled on foot before being apprehended.

During the arrest, officers seized two loaded firearms, extra magazines and various illegal drugs from Pacheco. The victim identified Pacheco and the firearm used in the carjacking, and he admitted to being present during the incident but denied brandishing a firearm.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Pacheco will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.