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Jury Convicts Man of First-Degree Murder in Fatal Shooting of Food Delivery Driver -
Albuquerque, N.M. — Late this afternoon, a jury convicted Francisco Garcia of first-degree murder, shooting at or from a motor vehicle resulting in death, and related charges in the fatal shooting of an Uber Eats delivery driver.
The crime occurred on December 23, 2024, when Steven Keliiaa, an Uber Eats employee, was delivering food to a home near Menaul Boulevard. As Keliiaa drove down Menaul, Garcia fired multiple shots into his vehicle, killing him. Evidence presented at trial showed that Garcia did not know the victim and that Keliiaa was an entirely innocent bystander simply doing his job.
Garcia now faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Sentencing will take place at a later date.
Collin Brennan and Adrian Gandara prosecuted this case.
“I am incredibly proud of the work our team did on this case. Steven Keliiaa was an innocent man who should have been able to return home safely to his loved ones. While nothing can undo this senseless loss, today’s verdict holds the defendant accountable and brings a measure of justice for the victim and his family.” - Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman
MAN WHO SEXUALLY ABUSED LITTLE GIRL MULTIPLE TIMES- CONVICTED-
Late this afternoon, a jury convicted Armando Mason of five counts of criminal sexual penetration of a child under 13, one count of child abuse, and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Mason was living with the child’s family, but was not related to the little girl. He began sexually abusing her in 2020. A year later, the child disclosed the sexual abuse.
Mason faces 94 years in prison.
Man Pleads No Contest in Adam Food Market Murder
Alexander Ortiz has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement and tampering with evidence in connection with the January 17, 2024 killing of Nicole Maldonado.
The shooting occurred outside the Adam Food Market in southeast Albuquerque.
Ortiz is already facing a separate murder conviction. On January 11, 2024, a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, Alianna Farfan.
Ortiz is serving a life sentence for Farfan's murder and faces 18 years for Maldonado's death.
MAN SENTENCED TO TWO DECADES IN PRISON FOR ROAD RAGE SHOOTING
This week, a judge sentenced Tristan Salais to 20 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department for the fatal road rage shooting of Jessie Lovato.
In April, a jury convicted Salais of Second-Degree Murder and Shooting from a Motor Vehicle. The shooting occurred in December 2022 near Montaño Road and Rio Grande Boulevard.
The victim, 50-year-old Jessie Lovato, crashed his vehicle into a wall while driving to work. First responders later discovered Lovato had been shot in the neck.
Salais initially told investigators he was only a witness to the shooting but fled the scene shortly after speaking with deputies. Surveillance video and social media evidence later linked Salais to the crime, leading to his arrest and conviction.
WOMAN WHO STARVED HER DISABLED DAUGHTER TO DEATH — PLEADS NO CONTEST
This week, Doraelia Espinoza pleaded no contest to Reckless Abuse of a Child (resulting in death) and Abuse of a Child for the death of her 16-year-old daughter.
BACKGROUND:
In 2022, the special needs child was brought to the hospital, where doctors discovered the teen was extremely malnourished with no fat tissue or muscle. She also had scrapes and rashes around her vaginal area, and maggots crawling out of her body. She weighed 40 pounds at the time of her death. Espinoza has five other children.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office asked for Espinoza to be sentenced to the maximum punishment allowed under New Mexico law, 18 years. The judge sentenced Espinoza to 15 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department.
Two Men Sentenced to Life Plus 24 Years in 2020 Execution-Style Killing
An Albuquerque judge has sentenced Charles Robinson and Walter Eddings to life in prison plus 24 years each for their roles in a 2020 execution-style murder.
In October, a jury found Robinson guilty of first-degree murder, armed robbery with a firearm, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, aggravated burglary, and conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary in the killing of 33-year-old Antonio Jaramillo.
The same jury convicted Eddings of first-degree murder (willful and deliberate), felony murder, first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, and tampering with evidence.
On December 16, 2020, Albuquerque police responded to Jaramillo’s home in the 2600 block of Eighth Street NW, where they found him dead in a bedroom. Investigators determined Jaramillo had been bound at the wrists and ankles and shot once, a killing described as execution-style.
Three co-defendants in the case pleaded guilty and testified at trial, providing details about the events that led to Jaramillo’s death.
LETTER TO ICE FROM BERNALILLO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY SAM BREGMAN -- “I don’t care who you are. No one’s above the law.”
“If they’re committing felonies, they’re not going to do it without being prosecuted. We’re going to prosecute even ICE agents."
x.com/CNNTheStoryIs/status/2014321630575522176?s=20
Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his message of compassion, service, and respect for one another.
JURY CONVICTS MAN FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING TWO BOYS FOR YEARS-
Late this afternoon, a jury convicted Lucas Miltenberger of multiple counts of sexual abuse, including criminal sexual penetration of a child, intimidation of a witness and child abuse.
BACKGROUND-
Between 2016 to 2023 Miltenberger repeatedly sexually abused the boys. Miltenberger was in a position of trust and authority for the boys. He then sexually abused them from 2016 to 2023. He faces 91 1/2 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department. Sentencing will take place at a later date.