U.S. Federal District Judge David C. Guaderrama announced the decision shortly before noon on Friday.
Crusius still faces state capital murder charges that could bring a death sentence. No trial date has been set.
“I want to emphasize that nothing that happens in the federal courthouse will affect what happens in the state courthouse ... We are still going to be seeking the death penalty,” said Bill Hicks, district attorney for the 34th Judicial District that includes El Paso County. Ultimately it “will be an El Paso jury to make that decision whether he gets the death penalty or life in prison,” he added.