AG Torrez Secures $3.3M Judgment and Testimony Against Defendants

AG: New Mexico Press Releases

Filed September 2nd, 2025

Detected March 21st, 2026

Summary

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced a $3.3 million judgment and plea agreement against Patricia Hurtado for kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and Medicaid fraud. Hurtado will serve five years in prison and testify against co-defendant Angelita Chacon in connection with the death of Mary Melero.

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What changed

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has secured a $3.3 million judgment and a guilty plea from Patricia Hurtado. Hurtado pleaded guilty to kidnapping, conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping, and Medicaid fraud. She is ordered to pay $3.3 million in restitution, jointly and severally with Angelita Chacon, to the State of New Mexico and the victim's estate. Hurtado will also serve five years in prison and testify against Chacon, who is accused of extreme abuse and neglect leading to Mary Melero's death.

This action brings a measure of justice for the victim and addresses losses to Medicaid. Regulated entities, particularly those involved in caregiving or working with vulnerable populations, should note the severe penalties for abuse, neglect, and fraud. Hurtado is prohibited from seeking future employment as a caregiver or working with vulnerable populations. The case highlights inter-agency cooperation and the focus on elder abuse and Medicaid fraud by the NMDOJ's Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Bureau.

What to do next

Review internal controls for vulnerable population care and Medicaid billing.
Ensure compliance with state and federal elder abuse and neglect statutes.
Cooperate fully with any investigations into patient abuse or fraud.

Penalties

5 years incarceration, 5 years supervised probation, restitution of $3,451,202 ($861,649.47 to the State of New Mexico and $2.5 million to the estate of Mary Melero), prohibition from future employment as a caregiver or working with vulnerable populations.

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Attorney General Raúl Torrez Achieves Breakthrough Testimony and $3.3 Million Dollar Judgement

September 2, 2025

Albuquerque, NM – This afternoon, a district court judge accepted Attorney General Raúl Torrez’s plea agreement against Patricia Hurtado, Hurtado plead guilty to kidnapping, conspiracy to commit first degree kidnapping and Medicaid fraud and will testify against Angelita Chacon. In addition to the five years of prison time and testimony against the main offender, Hurtado is also ordered to pay $3.3. million dollars as restitution for her criminal actions including Medicaid fraud.

The NMDOJ charged Patricia Hurtado and Angelita Chacon with extreme abuse and neglect that led to the May 2023 death of 38-year-old Mary Melero, a woman with developmental disabilities. In February 2023, Melero was found by Customs and Border Patrol agents in a van near the U.S.-Mexico border, severely dehydrated, drugged, and bearing open wounds, chronic bedsores with exposed bone, bruises, lacerations, and ligature marks consistent with prolonged restraint. In June 2025, the defendants were remanded into custody after violating release conditions by tampering with GPS monitors and contacting each other.

“Hurtado’s admission of guilt affords a measure of justice to the victim’s family and an accounting of the losses to Medicaid caused by Hurtado’s fraud and abuse, while also advancing the prosecution against the main culprit, Chacon,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “Our priority has always been justice for Mary, and this admission of guilt and promise of cooperation brings us one step closer to achieving it.”

Hurtado’s plea agreement stipulates:

Defendant pleads GUILTY to Kidnapping, a second-degree felony
Defendant pleads GUILTY to Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Kidnapping, a second-degree felony
Defendant pleads GUILTY to Medicaid Fraud, a fourth-degree felony
Defendant shall serve 5 years of incarceration
Defendant shall serve 5 years of supervised probation
Defendant agrees to testify truthfully in the investigations and prosecutions of State of New Mexico v Angelita Rene Chacon
Defendant’s sentencing shall be held in abeyance pending completion of trial or final disposition
Defendant agrees she will not seek employment in any capacity as a caregiver or work directly with any vulnerable population The agreement also stipulates that Hurtado is jointly and severally liable for restitution in the amount of $861,649.47 to the State of New Mexico and $2.5 million to the estate of the victim, Mary Melero.

Hurtado Plea Agreement

Several state and federal agencies came together on this case including the El Paso FBI Field Office, New Mexico State Police, Rio Rancho Police Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico and the Albuquerque FBI Field Office.

This case was investigated by the NMDOJ’s Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Bureau (MFEAB). The New Mexico MFEAB receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $3,451,202 for federal fiscal year 2025. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $1,150,401 for fiscal year 2025, is funded by the State of New Mexico.

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