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Authorities say two Albuquerque men have pleaded not guilty to federal charges involving armed robberies and carjackings in the city.
Prosecutors say 19-year-old Joel Meeks and 20-year-old Raul Ortega were arraigned Monday on an eight-count indictment.
The two were ordered detained pending trial, which has yet to be scheduled.
The indictment alleges that Meeks robbed two Albuquerque businesses on consecutive days last December and discharged a firearm during one of the heists.
Prosecutors say Meeks and Ortega allegedly carjacked two vehicles at gunpoint a few days apart in January.
