Toppenish man sentenced to federal prison for violent armed robbery

(Yakima, Washington) – Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Eduardo Valencia, 42, of Toppenish, Washington, to 162 months in federal prison for grand theft affecting commerce and using, carrying or brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Valencia was convicted of these crimes on March 6, 2024, following a jury trial. Chief District Judge Bastian also imposed 5 years of federal supervision after Valencia's release.

According to court documents and information disclosed during the trial and sentencing, on November 18, 2020, Valencia and an accomplice entered La Milpa Market in Yakima, Washington. Valencia and his accomplice pulled out guns and demanded money from the clerk, whom they threatened to kill. Valencia and his accomplice then ran behind the counter, fought with the employee and ultimately hit the employee with a gun. Valencia and his accomplice ran out of the store with approximately $10,000. The two men were masked during the robbery and Valencia was later identified thanks, among other things, to DNA from a glove that he dropped during the fight with the employee.

“Everyone in Eastern Washington deserves to be safe at work. Mr. Valencia’s violent robbery and assault on a store employee caused lasting trauma that will continue even after this case concludes,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref. “My office is committed to protecting our neighborhoods and communities by aggressively pursuing those who use violence. »

“Mr. Valencia's actions clearly warranted this sentence,” said Jonathan Blais, Special Agent in Charge of ATF Seattle. “The use of a firearm to commit an already violent crime is only increasing further the danger to those involved and to the public in general.”

This case was investigated by the ATF and the Yakima Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom Hanlon.