Albuquerque,NM (KKOB) – A judge sentenced Daniel Medrano Garcia to 22 years in prison for his involvement in the kidnapping and murder of a 16-year-old boy in the Pajarito Mesa area in 2024. On May 18, 2024, Mariana Gomez-Salinas lured 16-year-old Jesus Quintana Cota under the guise of going on a date.
Authorities say a group of teens, that included Medrano Garcia, took Cota to the Pajarito Mesa in west Albuquerque, where he was fatally shot. His body was found days later by a passerby in the remote area.
In March, Medrano Garcia entered a no-contest plea to multiple charges, including first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.
All other teenagers connected to the case have also been convicted.
