Myles Cordelle Dan Padilla, Carjacking, New Mexico 2022

State: New Mexico
Category: Violent Crime
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/us-attorneys-office-and-fbi-announce-criminal-charges-fruitland-carjacking" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

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Fruitland Carjacking Lands Farmington Man Behind Bars

A brazen carjacking in Fruitland, New Mexico, in April 2022 has landed a 32-year-old Farmington man in hot water. Myles Cordelle Dan Padilla, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was charged by indictment for the crime.

According to the indictment, on April 10, 2022, Padilla took a motor vehicle from a victim by force. During the incident, he discharged a firearm. The indictment also alleges that Padilla is prohibited by federal law from handling or possessing firearms or ammunition due to his previous felony convictions, which include breaking and entering, battery upon a peace officer, and battery against a household member.

Padilla appeared before a federal judge and will remain in custody pending trial, which is set for November 12, 2024. If convicted of the current charges, he faces not less than 10 years and up to life in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Probasco is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Padilla’s indictment is a stark reminder of the dangers of carjacking and the severity of the penalties that come with it. As a community, we must remain vigilant and take steps to prevent such crimes from occurring in the future.

The case against Padilla is a prime example of the FBI’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting violent crimes in our community. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who commit such crimes are held accountable for their actions.