Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

CONCORD - A Mexican national residing in Manchester was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison after being convicted of committing six armed robberies, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Guillermo Garcia Esquivel, 36, committed six armed robberies of convenience stores in Manchester between January 5, 2019 and February 24, 2019.   During each of the robberies, Esquivel pointed what appeared to be a black handgun at the victim cashier and demanded money.  In two of the robberies, he also displayed a knife.  Esquivel stole in excess of $5,000 during these robberies.

Esquivel previously pleaded guilty on November 19, 2019.   In addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered to pay $4,530 in restitution.  Esquivel does not have lawful status in the United States.  After serving his prison sentence, he faces likely removal to Mexico.  

“This defendant’s actions terrorized clerks at multiple stores and jeopardized the safety of the public,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We will not tolerate violent crime in Manchester or anywhere in the Granite State.  This case demonstrates our commitment to working with the Manchester Police Department, ATF, and all of our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate armed violent criminals who threaten our citizens.”

“Individuals such as Esquivel who are brazen enough to commit armed robberies present a clear and present danger to our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Kelly D. Brady, ATF Boston Field Division. “The sentence in this case sends an unequivocal message that this conduct will not be tolerated and provides further evidence of ATF’s commitment to combating violent crime by utilizing all available resources to make our communities safer.”

This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski. 

The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes. 

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