Man enters plea in 2023 carjacking and killing

A man pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder and other charges in the 2023 shooting death of 61-year-old Alfonso Aguilar during a carjacking outside a Southeast Albuquerque motel.

Juan De La Rosa, 22, faces up to 24 years in prison before 2nd Judicial District Judge Joseph Montano. No sentencing hearing has been scheduled.

De La Rosa also pleaded guilty Monday to armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and tampering with evidence.

Two co-defendants are scheduled for trial in January in Aguilar’s killing.

De La Rosa’s attorney, Richard Pugh, did not immediately return a phone message Monday seeking comment.

Albuquerque police responded at 4:30 p.m. July 4, 2023, to a shooting at the Luxury Inn on Central, just west of Louisiana, where they found Aguilar in critical condition with a bullet wound to his chest. He died in a hospital on July 10, 2023.

Police said surveillance video showed a “bow-legged” man with curly dark hair shoot Aguilar during a carjacking outside the motel, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court.

Aguilar told police from his hospital bed that the curly-haired man forced him out of his truck at gunpoint before a second man and a woman jumped into the truck and drove away, the complaint said.

Aguilar told police he was shot when he attempted to grab the door handle of his truck as it pulled away.

Police found Aguilar’s truck days later outside a North Valley home, the complaint said. The resident told police De La Rosa had left the truck at her residence, according to the complaint.

Co-defendants Joseph C. Griego, 29, and Lacey Monique Cormier, 41, each are scheduled to begin trial Jan. 21 in 2nd Judicial District Court in Aguilar’s killing.

Each face charges including first-degree murder, armed robbery and multiple conspiracy charges.