Defendant Prosecuted under Federal “Worst of the Worst" Anti-Violence Initiative
ALBUQUERQUE - This morning a U.S. Magistrate Judge sitting in Albuquerque, N.M., found probable cause to support a criminal complaint charging Daniel Penrod, 29, of Albuquerque, N.M., with violating federal firearms laws by unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition. Penrod was remanded into federal custody pending trial which has yet to be scheduled.
Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney, Special Agent in Charge John J. Durastanti of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and U.S. Marshal Conrad E. Candelaria said that Penrod, whose prior criminal history includes felony convictions for 2nd degree murder, receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, and battery on a police officer will be prosecuted under a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst" offenders for federal prosecution. 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 criminal convictions for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) filed a criminal complaint against Penrod charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm in Bernalillo County, N.M., on Jan. 17, 2018. According to the criminal complaint, on that date, Deputy U.S. Marshals arrested Penrod on a state felony arrest warrant for a probation violation. During the arrest operation, Penrod allegedly attempted to pull a loaded firearm out of his waistband but dropped the firearm in response to commands from Deputies.
If convicted of the charge in the criminal complaint, Penrod faces maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the ATF office in Albuquerque and the South West Investigative Fugitive Team (SWIFT) of the U.S. Marshals Service for the District of New Mexico with assistance from the New Mexico Department of Corrections Probation Parole Security Threat Intelligence Unit and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Brawley is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
