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NewsNoticias Tampa Bay (Univision)September 3, 2026Hillsborough

Federal court sentences Zachary Babitz to life plus 26 years for 2024 New Mexico crime spree

A federal judge sentenced Zachary Babitz to life in prison plus 26 years following his guilty plea for a series of armed robberies, carjackings, and a homicide committed across New Mexico in 2024. The sentence follows a plea agreement that removed the possibility of the death penalty, and under federal law, the defendant is ineligible for parole.

crimesentencingjusticehomiciderobbery
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Why It Matters

The sentencing concludes a high-profile criminal case involving multiple violent incidents across three New Mexico counties, resulting in a permanent prison term for the perpetrator.

Key Facts

  • Zachary Babitz was sentenced to life in prison plus 26 years.
  • The defendant pleaded guilty to 13 federal charges.
  • The plea agreement eliminated the possibility of the death penalty.
  • Federal law prohibits parole for this sentence.
  • The crime spree occurred between July 30 and August 10, 2024.
  • Crimes included the homicide of an 83-year-old man in Santa Fe County.
  • The spree included armed robberies at an AutoZone, a Wells Fargo branch, and a Jersey Mike’s restaurant.
  • The spree included multiple carjackings in Bernalillo County and Las Cruces.
  • Babitz had a prior criminal history dating back to 2004, including convictions in Nevada and California.
  • Babitz was on probation for six previous robberies in New Mexico at the time of the 2024 crimes.

Who's Mentioned

locationSanta Fe“County where crimes occurred.”organizationATF“Lead investigative agency.”personZachary Babitz“Defendant sentenced for armed robbery and homicide.”organizationFBI“Collaborating investigative agency.”locationNew Mexico“State where the crimes occurred.”locationDoña Ana“County where crimes occurred.”locationBernalillo“County where crimes occurred.”organizationFiscalía Federal para el Distrito de Nuevo México“Prosecuting authority.”