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Man sentenced to 10 years in robbery-turned-homicide scheme
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A judge on Monday sentenced Josiah Apodaca to 10 years in prison for his role in a 2021 robbery-turned-homicide in Southwest Albuquerque.
Prosecutors said Apodaca, 20, was one of several people who helped plan and execute a robbery that led to the Feb. 11, 2021, shooting death of 24-year-old Elias Otero-Garcia.
Apodaca pleaded guilty in April to two counts of armed robbery and two counts of conspiracy. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed the most serious charges he faced of first-degree murder and kidnapping.
The plan involved carjacking Otero-Garcia’s brother and demanding $1,000 in return for Otero-Garcia’s safety, according to court records. In the confrontation that followed, Otero-Garcia was fatally shot.
Four others have been charged in 2nd Judicial District Court for their roles in the scheme. They are:
- Santos Veronica, 20, who is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, two counts of armed robbery and other charges. No trial has been scheduled in his case.
- Anna Bella Dukes, 19, pleaded guilty in 2022 to two counts of armed robbery and conspiracy and faces up to 15 years in prison. Her sentencing hearing has not been scheduled.
- Andre Avila, 22, pleaded guilty in May to bribery of a witness and tampering and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
- James Rodriguez, 21, is charged with tampering and conspiracy. No trial has been scheduled in that case.
