Jackson guilty in bank heist, 2 deaths

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A federal jury has returned guilty verdicts against Jeremiah Jackson for robbing an Albuquerque bank and killing two women when he crashed his getaway van during a police pursuit.

The families of Kimberly Aragón-Nuñez and Janice Flores spoke after the verdict saying while it will not bring their loved ones back the guilty verdict was comforting.

"I believe with all my heart justice was served and that was a wonderful anniversary, birthday and memory of my daughter and her friend Janice," said Kim's mom Joyce Aragón.

Aragón-Nuñez would have turned 36 on Wednesday, she left behind three kids, Flores left behind two children.

Jackson faces prison sentences of up to 20 years for the robbery and life for the women's deaths.

During closing arguments Wednesday morning in federal court Jeremiah Jackson's attorney told jurors to convict him of robbing New Mexico Bank and Trust at Louisiana Boulevard and Candelaria Road NE on April 6, 2010.

But they argued the crash that killed Aragón-Nuñez and Flores at Coors and Quail NW was an accident and not a crime. The collision came after an officer spotted Jackson's van on Interstate 40, followed him and began a pursuit when Jackson sped away.

The assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting the case said otherwise arguing Jackson was responsible and should be convicted on all counts.