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Murder

Guilty Verdict in 2009 Albuquerque Restaurant Robbery and Murder Case

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A federal jury in Albuquerque, N.M., has delivered a guilty verdict against Francisco Melgar-Cabrera, 31, on Hobbs Act robbery and felony murder charges related to the armed robberies of two Albuquerque-area restaurants and the murder of Stephanie Anderson in June 2009. The guilty verdict brings an end to a six-year investigation and trial process, during which Melgar-Cabrera's co-defendants had already entered guilty pleas and been sentenced. The jury's decision follows a trial that began on August 25, 2015, and has been praised by law enforcement officials for their dedication and perseverance in bringing justice to the victims and their families.

Key Takeaways:

  • Francisco Melgar-Cabrera, 31, was found guilty of Hobbs Act robbery and felony murder charges stemming from the armed robberies of two Albuquerque-area restaurants and the murder of Stephanie Anderson in June 2009.
  • The investigation, which spanned over six years, involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Albuquerque Police Department (APD).
  • Melgar-Cabrera's co-defendants, Marvin Aguilar-Lopez and Pablo De Leon Ortiz, had already entered guilty pleas and been sentenced to 40 and 35 years in prison, respectively, while Jose Melgar-Cabrera, Melgar-Cabrera's brother, was sentenced to 48 months in prison as an accessory after the fact.
  • The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Louis E. Valencia and Presiliano A. Torrez, who praised the investigative efforts of ATF Special Agents and the APD.
  • Melgar-Cabrera faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years on each of the two robbery charges and a statutory maximum penalty of life imprisonment on the felony murder charge, pending a sentencing hearing.
  • The case highlights the importance of international cooperation in bringing violent criminals to justice, as Melgar-Cabrera was extradited from El Salvador in May 2014 after being arrested by Salvadoran law enforcement authorities in September 2013.

Statistics:

  • The investigation involved a total of 20 law enforcement agencies, including ATF, FBI, APD, and others.
  • The case spanned over six years, from the murders in June 2009 to the trial ending in August 2015.
  • 5 defendants were involved in the case, including Melgar-Cabrera, who was the only one to go to trial.
  • Melgar-Cabrera faces a maximum of 60 years in prison on the robbery charges and life imprisonment on the felony murder charge.
  • The case resulted in the sentencing of 4 defendants, with Melgar-Cabrera pending sentencing.

Sources:

  • U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico
  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • Albuquerque Police Department (APD)
  • SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info)

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