Albuquerque man pleads guilty to carjacking, bank robbery and firearms charges | USAO-NM

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Lante Porcha, 30, of Albuquerque, pleaded guilty on May 3 in federal court to one count of carjacking, one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, one count of attempted bank robbery with a dangerous weapon, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Porcha will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

A federal grand jury indicted Porcha and codefendant Chaz Estrada, 34, also of Albuquerque, on Feb. 7, 2019. According to the plea agreement and other court records, on Feb. 3, 2019, in the parking lot of Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque , Porcha approached a victim who was seated in his vehicle and asked the victim for a cigarette or a lighter. Porcha then pointed a handgun at the victim and threatened to shoot him if he did anything. Porcha entered the passenger seat and ordered the victim to drive to Estrada, who was waiting nearby. Porcha ordered the victim to get out of the vehicle, after which Estrada entered the driver’s seat and the two fled in the victim’s vehicle.

Later that day, Porcha approached another victim as she was at a drive-up ATM. Porcha pointed the handgun at the victim and demanded that she empty her bank account. The victim refused and pushed the gun downward. The gun discharged and the bullet passed between the victim’s legs. Porcha ran back to the stolen vehicle and fled with Estrada driving.

A short time later, law enforcement stopped the stolen vehicle. Porcha and Estrada attempted to flee on foot but were arrested. The handgun and ammunition were found in the vehicle.

On May 26, 2020, Estrada pleaded guilty to attempted bank robbery with a dangerous weapon, being an accessory after the fact, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On Sept. 15, 2020, Estrada was sentenced to eight years and one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

By the terms of the plea agreement, Porcha faces 15 years and eight months in prison.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Trembley is prosecuting the case.

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