Las Cruces Man, 19, Booked on First-Degree Murder and Conspiracy Charges

Allegedly... Drake Armendariz, 19, of Las Cruces, was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center on May 28, 2025. He faces multiple felony charges including first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit a first-degree felony, shooting at a dwelling or vehicle, and bribery. Armendariz was processed under booking number 2500004478 following a transfer from the Liberty County Jail in Texas and is currently being held without bond. According to news reports and court records, the charges stem from a fatal shooting on Interstate 25 involving the death of 17-year-old Benjamin Archuleta. New Mexico State Police identified Armendariz as a suspect in the homicide, which occurred near mile marker 8. Local media coverage indicates that the case has been scheduled for a five-day trial in August following several years of investigation and legal proceedings. The charges are allegations, and Armendariz is presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise.