ARTESIA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY TO KIDNAP WOMAN WHO WAS FATALLY SHOT IN 2021

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A southeastern New Mexico man has pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to kidnap a woman who was later found fatally shot at a remote oil lease in Eddy County, bringing a significant development in a homicide investigation that has remained active since 2021.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced Tuesday that Jerrold Albert Chavarria, 37, of Artesia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap in connection with the abduction and murder of a woman identified in court documents only as Jane Doe.

According to court records, the kidnapping occurred during the early morning hours of February 26, 2021, at the Budget Inn in Artesia, New Mexico.

Federal prosecutors said surveillance video captured Jerry Romero, 47, escorting a visibly distraught Jane Doe from the motel and into the rear seat of a red sport utility vehicle driven by Chavarria at approximately 4:30 a.m.

Investigators allege the vehicle departed the motel with the victim before surveillance footage later showed Chavarria and Romero returning approximately one hour later without her.

At approximately 10:21 a.m., authorities discovered Jane Doe’s body at a remote oil lease roughly 11 miles from the motel in Eddy County.

According to court documents, the victim had been shot 21 times at close range using two different calibers of ammunition, indicating multiple firearms were involved in the killing.

By pleading guilty, Chavarria admitted his role in the kidnapping conspiracy. He now faces up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced. A sentencing date has not yet been announced.

The murder charge itself was not the subject of Chavarria’s guilty plea announced Tuesday. Federal sentencing will be determined by the court after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing guidelines and statutory factors.

The second defendant, Jerry Romero, remains in federal custody awaiting trial. According to prosecutors, no trial date has been scheduled.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Roswell Resident Agency, part of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Because Romero’s criminal case remains pending, the charges against him are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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