Teen Faces Death Penalty in Uber Execution Case

Albuquerque –

As we reported to you on Friday, the US Attorney for the District of New Mexico had taken over prosecution of Sheliky Sanchez. Sanchez is charged with the murder of Uber driver Joseph Andrus.

Today, it was announced a federal grand jury has charged Sheliky Sanchez with the August 7, 2025, carjacking resulting in death and kidnapping resulting in death, crimes which under federal law are eligible for the death penalty.

According to court documents, on August 7, 2025, Sanchez, 18, carjacked and kidnapped the driver of a 2022 Ford Escape using a firearm. Subsequently, Sanchez intentionally killed the driver during and in connection with these crimes.

A federal grand jury indicted Sanchez for carjacking resulting in death, using a firearm during a violent crime that caused death, and kidnapping resulting in death. All three counts are eligible for the federal death penalty.

Sanchez will remain in custody until trial, which hasn’t been scheduled yet. If convicted, Sanchez faces a mandatory life sentence or the death penalty for the kidnapping that resulted in death. For the carjacking resulting in death and causing death through the use of a firearm during a violent crime charges, Sanchez faces any term of imprisonment up to life in prison or the death penalty.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, formally announced the development today.

The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jack E. Burkhead and Samuel Hurtado are prosecuting the case.

You can read the indictment here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/media/1414806/dl?inline