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New Federal Charges For Man Accused In Rio Rancho Officer's Death

A federal grand jury has filed robbery and other charges against a man accused in the fatal shooting of a police officer in an Albuquerque suburb.

A superseding indictment filed Friday says 28-year-old Andrew Romero carried out armed robberies at a CVS on April 6 and a gas station on May 26 in Albuquerque. The gas station robbery came in the day after authorities say Romero shot and killed Officer Gregg "Nigel" Benner in Rio Rancho.

Romero is charged in state court with first-degree murder.

The filing in federal court Friday includes two counts of robbing a business engaged in interstate commerce and two counts of brandishing firearms during a crime of violence. They add to charges federal authorities filed against Romero of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

His prior convictions include voluntary manslaughter, tampering with evidence and heroin trafficking.

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