ALBUQUERQUE – A U.S. Magistrate Judge sitting in Albuquerque, N.M., yesterday found probable cause to support a criminal complaint charging Isaac Joseph Dodge, 41, of Albuquerque, with armed bank robbery offenses. During the proceedings, Dodge waived his right to a detention hearing and was ordered to remain in custody pending trial.
Dodge was arrested on April 13, 2017, on a criminal complaint charging him with committing two armed bank robberies in Bernalillo County, N.M. The complaint alleges that Dodge robbed the BBVA Compass Bank located at 1201 San Pedro Drive NE in Albuquerque on March 7, 2017. According to the complaint, Dodge robbed the bank by brandishing a handgun, restraining a bank customer against her will while holding a gun to her head, and demanding money from two bank tellers. The complaint also alleges that Dodge robbed the US Bank branch located at 1418 Carlisle Boulevard NE in Albuquerque on April 4, 2017.
If convicted, Dodge faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison on each armed bank robbery charge. If the court determines that Dodge is subject to the three strikes enhancement based on his prior felony convictions, he faces a mandatory term of life imprisonment upon conviction. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard R. Thomas is prosecuting the case 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.