FAIRMONT — A Fairmont man is facing a felony charge in Martin County after an alleged armed robbery.

Gilberto Amaro Jr., 21, has been charged with one count of simple robbery, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

According to the complaint:

At 9:04 p.m. June 15, a Fairmont police officer was dispatched to speak with a man who described a robbery that had taken place at an apartment in the 1300 block of Johnson Street. The man said he was held at gunpoint by Amaro, whom the man said stole two gold chains and $60 from him.

The man said he and a friend had driven to the apartments to meet a friend of his friend, who turned out to be Amaro. He said Amaro invited him into his residence.

The man explained that he and Amaro went into the basement, sitting in separate chairs next to a table. The man said he observed about one gram of meth and several “Xanax” pills in the room.

The man said Amaro asked to see one of the gold chains he was wearing, and he handed it to Amaro. Amaro then pulled out a handgun, pointed it at him and demanded the other chain he was wearing. Amaro also demanded all the cash from the man’s wallet, which amounted to $60.

The man complied and Amaro then told him he could shoot him and take everything or the man could leave. The man got up and left the residence, returning to the vehicle and telling his friend what happened. The friend told him he should call the police.

A short time later, officers arrested Amaro outside his residence and transported him to the Martin County jail, where he was advised of his rights and agreed to speak with an officer.

Amaro said he ran into the man outside of his apartment by chance and said the man asked him for Xanax. Amaro said he did not have Xanax, but did have a drug called BuSpar, which he described as a prescription anxiety medication that looked like Xanax.

Amaro said the man entered his residence and they went to the basement, where they began to negotiate a price. Amaro said he told the man he would give him two BuSpar pills and $40 in exchange for the man’s gold necklace. He said the man agreed to the terms and requested an additional BuSpar pill in exchange for $20. Amaro said the man then left the residence.

Amaro denied robbing the man at gunpoint.

The officer discovered that Amaro had one of the man’s gold necklaces among his property upon being booked into the jail.

A search warrant for Amaro’s apartment was later issued. During its execution, officers discovered a pipe that tested positive for the presence of meth, additional drug paraphernalia, a digital scale and several non-scheduled prescription pills. A handgun was not found.