Lante Porcha, Carjacking, Bank Robbery, Firearms Charges, New Mexico 2019

Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking, Bank Robbery, and Firearms Charges

Lante Porcha, 30, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking, one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, one count of attempted bank robbery with a dangerous weapon, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. This occurred on May 3 in federal court.

According to court records, on February 3, 2019, Porcha approached a victim who was seated in his vehicle in the parking lot of Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque. Porcha then pointed a handgun at the victim and threatened to shoot him if he did anything. Porcha entered the passenger seat and ordered the victim to drive to codefendant Chaz Estrada, who was waiting nearby. Porcha ordered the victim to get out of the vehicle, after which Estrada entered the driver seat and the two fled in the victim’s vehicle.

Later that day, Porcha approached another victim as she was at a drive-up ATM. Porcha pointed the handgun at the victim and demanded that she empty her bank account. The victim refused and pushed the gun downward. The gun discharged and the bullet passed between the victim’s legs. Porcha ran back to the stolen vehicle and fled with Estrada driving.

Porcha and Estrada were stopped by law enforcement a short time later. They attempted to flee on foot but were arrested. The handgun and ammunition were found in the vehicle.

Codefendant Chaz Estrada, 34, of Albuquerque, pleaded guilty to attempted bank robbery with a dangerous weapon, being an accessory after the fact, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on May 26, 2020. Estrada was sentenced to eight years and one month in prison on September 15, 2020, followed by three years of supervised release.

By the terms of the plea agreement, Porcha faces 15 years and eight months in prison.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Trembley is prosecuting the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/albuquerque-man-pleads-guilty-carjacking-bank-robbery-and-firearms-charges