ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Daniel Trujeque, 29, of Albuquerque, appeared in federal court today for a preliminary and detention hearing where he was charged with robbery against a U.S. Postal Service employee while the employee was carrying out official duties. Trujeque will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.
According to a criminal complaint, on Jan. 11, Trujeque and two accomplices allegedly parked near a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier who was delivering parcels to a neighborhood box unit on the west side of Albuquerque. Trujeque allegedly got out of the vehicle and approached the letter carrier. He then allegedly pointed a handgun at the letter carrier and demanded the carrier’s mail keys. After the carrier handed over the keys, Trujeque allegedly demanded a parcel that had not been placed in a box yet. Trujeque took the keys and the parcel, returned to the vehicle and fled.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Trujeque faces up to 25 years in prison.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Niki Tapia-Brito is prosecuting the case.