Alleged shooter of New Mexico police officer pleads guilty to firearms, carjacking charges

By Andrew Shepperson

Jesse Denver Hanes (Photo: Las Cruces Sun-News)
Jesse Denver Hanes, an alleged shooter of a New Mexico police officer, has pleaded guilty to federal firearms and carjacking charges.
According to a Justice Department news release, Hanes agreed in the plea agreement to a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of release. Hanes allegedly shot and killed Hatch police officer Jose Chavez on Aug. 12, 2016, and the firearms and carjacking charges stem from Hanes’ attempt to evade arrest after the shooting.
The specific charges for which Hanes’ pleaded guilty include attempted carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office has made a commitment to prosecute those who seek to harm the courageous officers who put their lives on the line to protect us and safeguard our communities whenever there is federal jurisdiction to do so,” said Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney. “This federal prosecution is part of that commitment, and today we begin the process of holding Jesse Denver Hanes accountable for the federal crimes he committed during his extremely violent crime spree on Aug.

Source: Guns.com