Texas Man Arraigned on Armed Robbery, Carjacking and Firearms Offenses Arising Out of Northern New Mexico Crime Spree

Texas Man Arraigned on Armed Robbery, Carjacking and Firearms Offenses Arising Out of Northern New Mexico Crime Spree

Texas Man Arraigned on Armed Robbery, Carjacking and Firearms Offenses Arising Out of Northern New Mexico Crime Spree

U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of New Mexico
27 September 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lane Michael Reed Prosecuted Under Federal “Worst of the Worst” Anti-Violence Initiative

ALBUQUERQUE – Lane Michael Reed, 23, of Killeen, Texas, was arraigned today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., on a seven-count indictment charging him with armed robbery of businesses involved in interstate commerce, carjacking and firearms offenses arising out of an alleged crime spree occurring on July 24-25, 2017. Reed entered a not guilty plea to the indictment and remains detained pending trial, which has yet to be scheduled.

Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney said Reed is being prosecuted as part of the federal “worst of the worst” anti-violence initiative. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders primarily based on their prior felony convictions for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.

The indictment, which was filed on Sept. 21, 2017, charges Reed with armed robbery of two businesses involved in interstate commerce, carjacking, using, brandishing and discharging a firearm in relation to crimes of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the indictment, Reed allegedly robbed a gas station and convenience store in Raton, N.M., on July 24, 2017, and allegedly brandished a firearm while committing that crime. The indictment further alleges that Reed robbed a gas station and convenience store in San Jose, N.M., on July 25, 2017, and brandished a firearm while committing that crime. The indictment also charges Reed with carjacking a pickup truck by brandishing a firearm at the vehicle’s owner on July 25, 2017, in San Miguel County, N.M., and with unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition on July 24, 2017 and July 25, 2017, in Colfax, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Sandoval Counties, N.M. According to the indictment, Reed was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his previous felony conviction for residential burglary.

Reed was arrested in July 2017, based on a criminal complaint charging him with interfering with interstate commerce by robbery, taking a vehicle from another by force and violence, using, brandishing and discharging a firearm during crimes of violence, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. According to the criminal complaint, on the morning of July 25, 2017, Reed allegedly robbed a gas station and convenience store in San Jose, N.M., by brandishing a firearm at a clerk and a small child and taking money from the cash register. Shortly thereafter, the storeowner entered the store and Reed allegedly brandished a firearm at the storeowner and robbed the storeowner of the keys to his vehicle and a firearm. Reed allegedly departed the store in the storeowner’s vehicle and soon encountered officers of the New Mexico State Police and Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office who responded to a “be on the lookout” callout for Reed. While driving on the frontage road to Interstate 25 and southbound on the Interstate and seeking to evade the officers, Reed allegedly discharged a firearm in the direction of the officers, some of whom returned fire.

Officers of the New Mexico State Police and Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office arrested Reed without incident on Interstate 25 near Mile Post 247, on state charges filed by the 1st Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Reed remained in state custody until he was transferred to federal custody on Aug. 28, 2017, to face the federal charges against him.

If convicted of the charges in the indictment, Reed faces the following statutory maximum penalties: 20 years of imprisonment on the Hobbs Act robbery charges; 15 years of imprisonment on the carjacking charge; and ten years of imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Reed also faces the following statutory mandatory minimum penalties on three of the firearms charges: seven years of imprisonment for brandishing a firearm in relation to the first robbery; 25 years of imprisonment for discharging a firearm in relation to the second robbery; and 25 years of imprisonment for brandishing a firearm in relation to the carjacking. These sentences must be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the Hobbs Act, carjacking and felon in possession of a firearm charges.

Charges in criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Santa Fe office of the FBI, the New Mexico State Police and the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Kraehe is prosecuting the case.