Drake Armendariz sentenced to 14 years in prison for 2023 I-25 killing
Drake Armendariz will serve an effective 14-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the 2023 killing of Benjamin Archuleta.
Armendariz pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Benjamin Archuleta
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - Drake Armendariz will serve an effective 14-year prison sentence after pleading guilty Tuesday to first-degree murder in the 2023 shooting death of 17-year-old Benjamin Archuleta.
During a change-of-plea hearing before District Judge Douglas R. Driggers, Armendariz was sentenced to 30 years in prison with 16 years suspended, leaving 14 years to be served.
He also received credit for 793 days already spent in custody. After his release, Armendariz will serve two years of parole followed by five years of probation.
Armendariz was 16 when, on March 3, 2023, he fired six rounds into a vehicle traveling on Interstate 25 near mile marker 8 outside Las Cruces, according to the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Archuleta, a passenger in the vehicle, was struck and taken to a hospital. He died one day before his 18th birthday.
The case was dismissed without prejudice in February 2024 under the previous district attorney. After taking office, District Attorney Fernando Macias reviewed the case and sought to reinstate the charges.
“This was an injustice and we needed to pursue accountability for Armendariz,” Macias said. “This case is a reminder that choices have consequences, and our office will continue to hold violent offenders accountable, including young offenders.”
Archuleta’s family attended Tuesday’s hearing and supported the plea agreement, according to the district attorney’s office.
“Under the circumstances, this was the best possible outcome, and it had the support of Benjamin Archuleta’s family,” Macias said.
Members of Archuleta’s family addressed the court and Armendariz following the plea.
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Support Organ Mountain News“We waited three long years for justice, but the time has come,” said Lucky Archuleta, Benjamin’s uncle. “You probably deserved more, but God forgives.”
The family also thanked prosecutors and law enforcement for continuing to pursue the case.
Macias and Deputy District Attorney Spencer Willson prosecuted the case. The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau handled the investigation.
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