ALBUQUERQUE –
A Rio Rancho resident received a ten-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges of carjacking and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in connection to a violent crime. This case, originally under state jurisdiction, was jointly prosecuted with the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
According to legal records, on January 6, 2021, Daniel Pacheco, aged 31, approached the victim during the early hours of the morning, wielding a firearm and assaulting her. Pacheco proceeded to steal the victim’s belongings, including her purse and car keys, before fleeing the scene in her vehicle.
Law enforcement traced the victim’s car, which had a LoJack anti-theft GPS tracking system, to an apartment complex north of Old Town Albuquerque and apprehended Pacheco there. Despite Pacheco’s attempts to evade arrest by ramming police vehicles and fleeing on foot, officers ultimately detained him.
During the arrest, authorities confiscated two loaded firearms, additional ammunition, and various illicit substances from Pacheco’s possession. The victim positively identified Pacheco as well as the firearm used in the carjacking. Although Pacheco admitted to being present during the incident, he denied brandishing a firearm.
Upon completion of his prison term, Pacheco will be subject to five years of supervised release.
It’s important to note there is no parole in the federal system.
The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.
The New Mexico State Police investigated this case with support from the FBI Albuquerque Field Office and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Burkhead and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Haynes prosecuted the case as part of a collaboration with the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
In this collaboration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office designates Assistant District Attorneys as Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs). SAUSAs from the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office review felony criminal complaints filed in Bernalillo County for potential federal charges, with a focus on addressing violence in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Since 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office has reviewed nearly 3,000 cases and has initiated more than 300 criminal cases through this program.
Similar agreements exist between the United States Attorney’s Office and the New Mexico Department of Justice, as well as the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, with plans for further expansion throughout the state.
Coordination between the Feds, State and County officials in fighting crime is such good news.
A ten year sentence is too light for this violent criminal. He should have received, at least, a 20 year sentence. I’m sure he also has a long list of additional felonies on his record.