Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.
Help support the publication of case reports on MoreLaw
United States of America v. Leandrew Cody Velarde
Date: 08-04-2025
Case Number: 25-MJ-2898
Judge: Not Available
Court: The United States District Court for the District of New Mexico (Bernalillo County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Albuquerque
Defendant's Attorney: Click Here For The Best Albuquerque, New Mexico Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Albuquerque, New Mexico criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Shooting Minor During Argument
Dulce Man Charged with Shooting Minor During Argument
A Dulce man has been charged in federal court for allegedly shooting a minor during an argument inside a vehicle.
On July 21, 2025, the minor victim was in a vehicle with another person when they picked up Leandrew Cody Velarde, 21, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, who appeared intoxicated. During a subsequent argument, a gun discharged, striking the victim in the buttocks. When the victim attempted to call 911, Velarde reportedly threw their phone and fled the scene.
The victim was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment. Investigators later recovered a Glock handgun and a spent shell casing near the scene. Velarde was arrested nearby and found in possession of marijuana, liquor, and a cell phone.
Velarde is charged with abandonment and abuse of a child, recklessly caused, resulting in great bodily harm. He will remain in third-party custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, Velarde faces 18 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Jicarilla Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Marshall is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Leandrew Cody Velarde?
The outcome was: A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Which court heard United States of America v. Leandrew Cody Velarde?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the District of New Mexico (Bernalillo County), NH. The presiding judge was Not Available.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Leandrew Cody Velarde?
Plaintiff's attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Albuquerque. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Albuquerque, New Mexico Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Leandrew Cody Velarde decided?
This case was decided on August 4, 2025.