Deranged Man Sentenced to 30 Years of Federal Time for Attempted Murder of NM State Cop
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October 12, 2023, 1:44 am
BY: ABQ RAW staff
POSTED: 10/11/2023 @ 7:45PM
Robert Nelson, 31, of Scottsdale, Arizona on body camera footage being detained after a shootout with police.
ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Robert Benjamin Nelson was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Nelson, 31, of Scottsdale, Arizona, pled guilty to attempted murder of a federal task force officer and discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence on March 22, 2023. This conviction followed an original mistrial on January 17, 2023.
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SEE THE DRAMATIC VIDEO OF THE SHOOT OUT HERE:
According to court documents, on Sept. 12, 2020, a New Mexico State Police Officer, serving as a Task Force Officer with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), initiated a traffic enforcement stop on Nelson’s vehicle because he was following another vehicle too closely. As the officer approached Nelson’s vehicle from the passenger side, Nelson immediately raised and fired a .22 caliber revolver three times at the officer through the passenger window at Officer Duran. The muzzle blast and initial round from the revolver shattered the passenger window, sending shards of glass into the officer’s face and eyes. The officer raised her hands to shield her face, and the second and third bullets struck her in the hands, causing serious and permanent injury to one of her eyes and both of her hands. The officer fell to the ground, but immediately got back up and even returned fire as the truck sped off.
The officer pursued the truck and caught up with Nelson, still traveling west on I-40, and pulled him over again. The officer observed Nelson this time retrieve a rifle from the floorboard of his vehicle and so she waited for back up to arrive. Officers from the Laguna Pueblo arrived on scene and Nelson was arrested by the officers without further incident.
After reviewing the body camera footage it was noted the New Mexico State Police officer went above and beyond pursuing and capturing this criminal. The New Mexico State Police officer secured the scene while having multiple gunshot wounds and even took Nelson into custody herself after being shot several times.
“Today, bravery prevailed over cowardice and truth over irrational hate,” said U.S. Attorney Uballez. “Federal law enforcement officers work every day to make our lives safer. When their lives are put at risk by someone who trained himself to fear police through fantastical internet videos, we will serve decisive justice to protect our protectors. My thanks to our team of prosecutors and federal law enforcement agents who investigated this case, and to the victim whose bravery, professionalism, and calm while under fire made this result possible.”
“These types of shootings are brazened, violent acts, absolutely without justification and a threat to our entire community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda. “An attack on a federal Task Force Officer is a federal crime with serious consequences. Today’s sentencing reflects the FBI’s unwavering commitment to ensure that all those responsible for violence crimes against law enforcement officers are brought to justice.”
Upon his release from prison, Nelson will be subject to an additional 4 years of supervised release.
The Albuquerque FBI Field Office investigated this case in conjunction with the New Mexico State Police and the Albuquerque Multiagency Officer Involved Shooting Team. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Mysliwiec and Nicholas Mote prosecuted the case.
As a note, if the State of New Mexico would have taken on this case, Nelson would have gotten a possible maximum of 8 years and the New Mexico Department of Corrections would implement good time benchmarks, thus making it probable that Neslon would be released way before the 8 year mark.
Nelson has zero to little chance of getting his sentenced reduced in the federal system. Justice appears to have prevailed in this case.
2 thoughts on “Deranged Man Sentenced to 30 Years of Federal Time for Attempted Murder of NM State Cop”
But he was paranoid , he had a mental illness. It doesnt excuse him but I think too many people just do not understand mental illness at all, the think somehow the person can just will their illness away and do the right thing. This is such a dangerous way of thinking. Mental illness is no different from any other disease. Again, Im not saying he should be let off the hook at all but I am saying its alot more complicated than the way it has been portrayed in the media. 30 years is excessive and he will get 100% worse in prison.
But he was paranoid , he had a mental illness. It doesnt excuse him but I think too many people just do not understand mental illness at all, the think somehow the person can just will their illness away and do the right thing. This is such a dangerous way of thinking. Mental illness is no different from any other disease. Again, Im not saying he should be let off the hook at all but I am saying its alot more complicated than the way it has been portrayed in the media. 30 years is excessive and he will get 100% worse in prison.
Who says he was paranoid? He was competent to stand trial wasn’t he? I wish he wod have gotten longer……