Charlene Baca, Attempted Robbery, New Mexico 2013

Albuquerque Woman Pleads Guilty to Attempted Theft from New Mexico Casino

ALBUQUERQUE — Charlene Baca, 43, of Albuquerque, N.M., pleaded guilty to a felony information charging her with theft from an Indian gaming establishment.

Baca was arrested on Oct. 5, 2013, after she allegedly threatened a cashier and attempted to rob the Route 66 Casino located on Laguna Pueblo in Cibula County, N.M. According to the complaint, Baca told the cashier that she had a bomb in the casino and demanded money.

During today’s proceedings, Baca entered a guilty plea to a felony information and admitted that she attempted to steal money belonging to the Route 66 Casino on Oct. 5, 2013, by suggesting to the cashier that there was a destructive device in the casino that would explode in seconds.

Baca admitted suggesting to the cashier that she could remotely deploy the bomb if the cashier did not give her money. Baca was arrested by officers of the Pueblo of Laguna Trial Police Department shortly thereafter.

Baca remains on conditions of release at a half-way house pending her sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. Under the terms of her plea agreement, Baca will be sentenced to time served followed by three years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI with assistance from the Pueblo of Laguna Pueblo Tribal Police Department, the Laguna Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Programs, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, the New Mexico State Police and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Niki Tapia-Brito is prosecuting the case.

Baca’s brazen attempt to rob the casino has left many wondering what drove her to commit such a heinous crime. As the investigation unfolds, one thing is clear: justice will be served.

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