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Fraud

Attorney General Raul Torrez Achieves Breakthrough Testimony and $3.3 Million Judgment

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a major breakthrough in the investigation of the death of 38-year-old Mary Melero, a woman with developmental disabilities, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez announced that Patricia Hurtado, a defendant in the case, has pleaded guilty to kidnapping, conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping, and Medicaid fraud. As part of her plea agreement, Hurtado will serve five years of prison time, five years of supervised probation, and testify truthfully in the investigation and prosecution of the main culprit, Angelita Chacon. The agreement also stipulates that Hurtado is jointly and severally liable for restitution in the amount of $2.5 million to the estate of the victim, Mary Melero.

Key Takeaways:

  • Patricia Hurtado pleaded guilty to kidnapping, conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping, and Medicaid fraud, and will serve five years of prison time, five years of supervised probation, and testify truthfully in the investigation and prosecution of Angelita Chacon.
  • Hurtado is jointly and severally liable for restitution in the amount of $2.5 million to the estate of the victim, Mary Melero, in addition to $861,649.47 to the State of New Mexico.
  • The investigation involved several state and federal agencies, including the El Paso FBI Field Office, New Mexico State Police, Rio Rancho Police Department, U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico, and the Albuquerque FBI Field Office.
  • The New Mexico Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Bureau (MFEAB) receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $3,451,202 for federal fiscal year 2025.
  • The remaining 25 percent, totaling $1,150,401 for fiscal year 2025, is funded by the State of New Mexico.

Statistics:

  • Total restitution awarded to Mary Melero's estate: $2.5 million
  • Total restitution awarded to the State of New Mexico: $861,649.47
  • Total grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the New Mexico MFEAB: $3,451,202
  • Total funding from the State of New Mexico for the New Mexico MFEAB: $1,150,401

Sources:

  • Original News Release: New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez Achieves Breakthrough Testimony and $3.3 Million Judgment (nmdoj.gov)
  • New Mexico Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Bureau (MFEAB)
  • El Paso FBI Field Office
  • New Mexico State Police
  • Rio Rancho Police Department
  • U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico
  • Albuquerque FBI Field Office

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