Robert Padilla, 48, has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in a retaliatory killing connected to the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico (SNM), a violent prison gang. The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office.
Padilla was found guilty of orchestrating the murder of L.L., a former SNM leader who had cooperated with federal authorities and served as a witness in a racketeering case. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, the killing took place in July 2019 as an act of retaliation and to maintain Padilla’s standing within the SNM enterprise. At the time, Padilla was also leading a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances in and around Las Vegas, New Mexico.
The evidence further showed that after the murder, Padilla continued efforts to obstruct justice. While incarcerated, he shared details about the killing with another inmate and discussed plans to harm additional individuals suspected of cooperating with law enforcement. When this inmate attempted to assist federal authorities, Padilla directed other inmates to assault him at a New Mexico correctional facility. Surveillance footage confirmed this coordinated attack.
Padilla faced multiple federal charges including Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering murder, retaliating against a witness or informant, killing while engaged in drug trafficking, firearm offenses resulting in death, witness tampering, drug trafficking conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of contraband in prison. He was convicted on all counts following a jury trial held in December 2023.
"There is no parole in the federal system. As a result, a sentence of lifetime incarceration is served without parole," stated officials.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office Violent Gang Task Force (VGTF) with support from several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Albuquerque District Office, New Mexico State Police, New Mexico Corrections Department, Las Vegas Police Department and Department of Public Safety’s State Laboratory. The Las Cruces Branch Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico prosecuted the case.
