Albuquerque –
On Friday, December 13, 2024, while on duty with the Albuquerque Police Department’s (APD) Auto Theft Unit, detectives were contacted by an auto body shop in NW Albuquerque. Staff informed detectives that a vehicle linked to an ongoing APD Auto Theft investigation was ready for pick-up.
The vehicle, a white 2024 Ford Bronco, had been reported stolen in connection with a fraud case. Work on the vehicle had been completed on behalf of an individual who had fraudulently purchased it earlier in the year, with assistance from Stacy Angelique Ochoa, 41, at a dealership in Albuquerque.
On December 4, 2024, APD auto theft detectives arrested a suspect driving a rental truck under contract to Stacy Ochoa. On that same date, Ochoa was informed that the 2024 Ford Bronco had been purchased fraudulently and was reported as stolen.
Ochoa returned to the auto body shop to pay the insurance deductible for the Bronco on December 13, 2024. After staff interviews, detectives learned that once the deductible was paid, the stolen Bronco was unlawfully started and driven off the lot. Ochoa also left the location shortly afterward. Recorded conversations revealed both Ochoa and her accomplice were aware the vehicle was reported stolen and was being held by the auto body shop for law enforcement.
Later that day, at approximately 3:00 PM, a detective returned to the shop to obtain a follow-up statement. Shortly after, Ochoa arrived at the location, driving the stolen Ford Bronco. The detective detained Ochoa and read her Miranda rights. Ochoa stated she wished to remain silent.
Ochoa was taken into custody and booked on a charge of conspiracy to commit a felony, specifically the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. Ochoa was booked into MDC on December 13 at 8:00 PM. She was supposed to be released on her own recognizance (ROR) on December 14, 2024, for this incident. However, there was a “hold” put on her release from an arrest and ongoing case from earlier in the year.
She is slated to appear before Judge Christine E. Rodriguez tomorrow at 9:30 AM for a “Conditions of Release Violation Hearing” for the incident in May 2024. We discuss this case below. If we learn more about the outcome in the hearing, we will update you. Everyone is innocent until a court of law proves them guilty.
Ochoa’s Troubling History of DWIs and Other Charges Spans Over a Decade
Ochoa has a rather extensive history of driving under the influence. In November of 2007, she was charged with misdemeanor DWI first offense and misdemeanor reckless driving. On November 30, 2007, she pled not guilty to both DWI first offense and misdemeanor reckless driving. From what we could gather, on July 11, 2008, she was offered a plea deal which dismissed the reckless driving if she went to DWI school. On October 9, 2009, per NM Courts records, her sentence was amended, such that she was found guilty for failure to attend scheduled DWI school and pled guilty to DWI first offense.
On May 3, 2008, Ochoa was again charged with both DWI First Offense and Not Driving Within Traffic Lane. On May 16, 2008, she pleaded not guilty. On July 11, 2008, the prosecutor dismissed the charge of Not Driving Within Traffic Lane as part of the plea agreement. From what we can tell on NM Courts, Ochoa pled guilty to DWI First Offense on July 11.
Ochoa was charged on August 27, 2010, with driving on a revoked license and driving without a license. In September 2010, she pleaded not guilty to both charges. The prosecutor dismissed both charges on October 18, 2010. From what we found, the officer failed to appear. If she had been prosecuted for this DWI and convicted, her license could have been suspended for two years – per the MVD website.
On March 4, 2011, Ochoa was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute, Second Offense and Second-Degree Marijuana Offense. She pled not guilty on March 6, 2011. This case was transferred to district court on February 2, 2012.
Ochoa was charged with Receiving or Transferring Stolen Vehicles or Motor Vehicles, First Offense and Possession of Burglary Tools on October 2, 2012. This was dismissed Nolle Prosequi on December 7, 2012.
On May 26, 2024, Ochoa was arrested by BCSO and charged with DWI Driving While Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs (.08 or above) (3rd Offense), Careless Driving, No Proof of Insurance, Failure to Register or Title a Vehicle as Required, Traffic-Control Signal Legend/Failure to Obey Signal, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident (No Great Bodily Harm or Death). On May 28, 2024, she pleaded not guilty to all five charges. Ochoa amended her plea to DWI Driving While Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs (.08 or above) (3rd Offense) on September 18, 2024, to guilty. However, the other four charges are still pending, or they may have been subject to being dismissed if she completed terms of the plea agreement.
It is believed that in this case (May 2024), Ochoa was not charged with driving on a revoked license because she possessed a valid driver’s license. Considering that it had been more than two years since her last conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI), Ochoa was subsequently eligible to apply for a driver’s license.
UPDATE:
On December 17, Stacy Ochoa was dismissed from drug court and it says “drug court unsuccessful.” In addition the NM Court notes say “Def terminated from DWI Recovery Court.”
There is an evidentiary hearing on December 24, 2024, with Judge Safier. It does appear that Ochoa was given terms of release, but as of this posting on December 19, she has not been released from MDC. The evidentiary hearing on December 24, is slated to be held virtually. This evidentiary hearing is about the charges from May 2024, which stem from her being arrested for: DWI/Driving While Under The Influence Of Liquor Or Drugs (.08 Or Above) (3rd Offense), Careless Driving, No Proof Of Insurance, Failure To Register Or Title A Vehicle As Required, Traffic-control Signal Legend/failure To Obey Signal and Leaving The Scene Of An Accident.
NM State law: ….second-degree felony larceny. In this case, you have stolen property valued at over $20,000, such as an automobile. You not only will face up to 9 years in a state prison, but also be fined up to $10,000… Hopefully for one in Stacy’s pitiful life she’s held accountable and locked up a convicted Felon. Maybe that will wipe the smirk off her face!
I would like to bet you $25 that literally no consequences take place. She walks and is at it again and again and again and again.
I wouldnt take that bet. She will definately walk as here in NM, criminals get out of jail free to continue committing crimes and judges are always retained no matter what they do.
The charge conspiracy to commía felony which is a 4th degree felony
Unfortunately she’s probably considered small potatoes.
Typical bail reform bullshit! This fucking crackwhore of course violates her previous release and these mother fuckers will probably let the bitch walk.
How come the dems don’t prosecute criminals in this welfare state? Does the crime correlate as to how dems stay in office? How come when a 20x felon is released and murders a whole family, everyone acts all shocked, and still do nothing about it?