local
Las Cruces teen sentenced to 9 years for shooting, paralyzing victim during drug deal
By Gabrielle Lopez at KVIA ABC-7
· July 8, 2026
· 2 min read
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- A Las Cruces teenager received a nine-year federal prison sentence for shooting and paralyzing an 18-year-old victim during a robbery, the U.S. Attorney's Office District of New Mexico said Wednesday.
A news release said in February 2022, Matthew James Aguilar and tw...
Key takeaway A news release said in February 2022, Matthew James Aguilar and two other people planned to meet the victim to buy marijuana.
Why this matters in The El Paso
This sentence brings closure to a tragic case that has resonated across the borderland region, where El Paso and Las Cruces communities are closely tied. The fact that Aguilar was 16 years old at the time of the crime and has now been sentenced as an adult raises questions about the effectiveness of juvenile justice systems in addressing violent offenses. As El Paso County grapples with its own public safety challenges, this case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violent crime and the need for comprehensive support services for victims and their families. The permanent paralysis of the 18-year-old victim will undoubtedly have long-term implications for his loved ones and the community at large, highlighting the importance of ongoing efforts to prevent and address violent crime in the region.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The El Paso stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- A Las Cruces teenager received a nine-year federal prison sentence for shooting and paralyzing an 18-year-old victim during a robbery, the U.S. Attorney's Office District of New Mexico said Wednesday.
A news release said in February 2022, Matthew James Aguilar and tw...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gabrielle Lopez at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter