ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces teenager was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for shooting an 18-year-old victim during a robbery, leaving the victim permanently paralyzed.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 25, 2022, Matthew James Aguilar, who was 16 years old at the time, and two other individuals arranged to meet with the victim to purchase marijuana. During the transaction, Aguilar and the other individuals decided to rob the victim instead of paying for the marijuana. As the victim attempted to drive away, Aguilar fired multiple rounds from a firearm into the passenger side of the victim’s vehicle. One of the bullets struck the victim in the back, causing a collapsed lung and permanent paralysis. The victim, who was 18 years old at the time, suffered injuries that left him a quadriplegic.
After the shooting, Aguilar initially denied involvement when interviewed by law enforcement. Investigators later obtained social media messages in which Aguilar admitted he had shot and paralyzed someone while attempting to rob him. In subsequent jail calls, Aguilar again described shooting a drug dealer in the back and causing the victim’s paralysis.
“Protecting the public requires a criminal justice system that can respond appropriately to serious acts of violence, regardless of the offender’s age,” said F.A. United States Attorney Ryan Ellison. “Our office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to pursue justice and use every available tool to address violent crime in New Mexico.”
“Violence in our communities is never justified, and we will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to hold violent offenders accountable and keep our communities safe-regardless of the offender’s age; said Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. “This sentence reflects the unwavering commitment of law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue justice for victims and remove dangerous criminals from our neighborhoods. Together, we will continue using every available resource to protect the public and ensure those who resort to violence face the consequences of their actions.”
“Today’s sentencing is the result of outstanding collaboration between the Las Cruces Police Department, the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office,” said Jeremy Story, Chief of the Las Cruces Police Department. “This offender committed serious acts of violence that endangered our community and devastated the lives of his victims. Today’s outcome demonstrates what can be accomplished when local and federal law enforcement work together with a shared commitment to justice.”
Aguilar was initially charged as a juvenile under the Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act. He later agreed to be prosecuted and sentenced as an adult and pled guilty to Interference with Commerce by threats and violence. Upon his release from prison, Aguilar will be subject to three years of supervised release.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces Police Department and Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Y. Armijo and Devon Aragon Martinez prosecuted the case.
Instagram highlights from sentencing
