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United States of America v. Samantha Lee
Date: 08-29-2026
Case Number: 1:25-cr-05048
Judge: Maria Elena Stiteler
Court: United States District Court for the District of New Mexico (Bernalillo County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Maria Elena Stiteler
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Albuquerque Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Description:
Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with arson in violation of 18 U.S.C. 844.
Reported by Kent Morlan
Samantha Lee, age 41, maliciously started several fires inside a storage warehouse on Menaul Boulevard NE in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that was used by the Crowne Plaza Hotel and The Querque Hotel to store furniture, carpeting, kitchen appliances, air conditioning units, linens, and other materials. The fires spread throughout the warehouse, causing significant structural damage and nearly destroying everything inside.
Fire investigators identified five areas where fires originated and, after reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traced a woman seen approaching and placing items near the areas where the fires started to Lee.
Reported by Kent Morlan
Samantha Lee, age 41, maliciously started several fires inside a storage warehouse on Menaul Boulevard NE in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that was used by the Crowne Plaza Hotel and The Querque Hotel to store furniture, carpeting, kitchen appliances, air conditioning units, linens, and other materials. The fires spread throughout the warehouse, causing significant structural damage and nearly destroying everything inside.
Fire investigators identified five areas where fires originated and, after reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traced a woman seen approaching and placing items near the areas where the fires started to Lee.
Outcome:
Lee elected to plead guilt.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Samantha Lee?
The outcome was: Lee elected to plead guilt.
Which court heard United States of America v. Samantha Lee?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the District of New Mexico (Bernalillo County), NM. The presiding judge was Maria Elena Stiteler.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Samantha Lee?
Plaintiff's attorney: Maria Elena Stiteler. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Albuquerque Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Samantha Lee decided?
This case was decided on August 29, 2026.