A federal grand jury has indicted Sheliky Sanchez, 18, of Albuquerque, on charges related to a fatal carjacking and kidnapping that occurred on August 7, 2025. According to court documents, Sanchez allegedly used a firearm to carjack and kidnap the driver of a 2022 Ford Escape before intentionally killing the victim during the commission of these crimes.
The indictment includes charges of carjacking resulting in death, using a firearm during a violent crime and causing death by firing it, and kidnapping resulting in death. All three charges are eligible for the federal death penalty.
Sanchez is currently being held in custody pending trial. No trial date has been set at this time. If convicted on the charge of kidnapping resulting in death, Sanchez faces either a mandatory life sentence or the possibility of the death penalty. The other charges also carry penalties ranging from any term up to life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office announced the indictment.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jack E. Burkhead and Samuel Hurtado are prosecuting.
"An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," according to authorities.
