Albuquerque Man Indicted in Deadly Carjacking & Kidnapping

ALBUQUERQUE – Eighteen-year-old Sheliky Sanchez is facing federal charges that could result in the death penalty after a brutal carjacking and kidnapping culminated in the fatal shooting of the vehicle’s owner on August 7, 2025. A federal grand jury returned the indictment earlier today, detailing the horrific sequence of events that unfolded in Albuquerque.

According to court documents, Sanchez allegedly carjacked and kidnapped the driver of a 2022 Ford Escape at gunpoint. The situation rapidly escalated, ending with the intentional killing of the driver during the commission of these crimes. The details remain grim, and authorities are releasing limited information to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

Sanchez has been indicted on three counts: carjacking resulting in death, using a firearm during a violent crime and causing death by firing it, and kidnapping resulting in death. Each of these charges carries the potential for the federal death penalty, leaving no room for leniency should Sanchez be convicted. The gravity of the allegations is underscored by the potential consequences.

“This case represents a senseless act of violence that has devastated a family and shaken our community,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “We will pursue justice relentlessly and ensure that Sheliky Sanchez is held accountable for his alleged actions.” Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the FBI’s commitment to combating violent crime.

Sanchez will remain in federal custody pending trial, the date of which has not yet been set. If found guilty of kidnapping resulting in death, a mandatory life sentence or the death penalty awaits. The carjacking and firearm charges also carry the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jack E. Burkhead and Samuel Hurtado are leading the prosecution.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office and the Albuquerque Police Department. Authorities remind the public that an indictment is merely an allegation, and Sheliky Sanchez is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available.

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