United States of America v. Robert J. Padilla, Jr.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with orchestrating a retaliatory killing tied to a violent prison gang and for using violence and intimidation to protect an ongoing drug trafficking operation.

Robert Padilla, 48, was an associate of the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico (SNM), a prison-based gang whose members and associates engaged in murder, drug trafficking, intimidation, and retaliation against perceived informants to preserve the gang’s power, territory, and profits. SNM functioned as an ongoing criminal enterprise that affected interstate commerce and enforced loyalty through violence, including assaults and killings.

The evidence showed that Padilla led a drug trafficking organization supplying cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances in and around Las Vegas, New Mexico. In July 2019, Padilla facilitated and participated in the killing of L.L., a former SNM leader who was cooperating with federal authorities and served as a witness in a racketeering prosecution. The murder was carried out to retaliate against L.L. for providing information to law enforcement and to maintain Padilla’s position and standing related to the SNM enterprise. The killing occurred while Padilla was actively engaged in large scale drug trafficking.

After the murder, Padilla continued efforts to obstruct justice and protect the enterprise. While incarcerated, Padilla disclosed details of the killing to another inmate and discussed plans to harm additional individuals he believed were cooperating with law enforcement. When that inmate attempted to cooperate with federal authorities, Padilla directed other inmates to assault him at a New Mexico correctional facility. Surveillance footage corroborated the coordinated attack.

Padilla was charged in a third superseding indictment with multiple federal offenses, 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 a controlled substance, and possession of contraband in prison. The case proceeded to a jury trial in December 2023. After hearing the evidence, the jury convicted Padilla on all counts charged.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office Violent Gang Task Force (VGTF) investigated this case with assistance from 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.

The Defendant was sentenced to life in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. As a result, a sentence of lifetime incarceration is served without parole.