Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced on June 24 that Angelita Chacon will serve a minimum of 20 years in prison after being charged with abuse and neglect resulting in the death of Mary Melero, a woman with developmental disabilities. The charges against Chacon include Abuse of a Resident Resulting in Death, False Imprisonment, and Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping. A district court judge accepted a plea agreement stipulating a sentence between 20 and 30 years, with sentencing to be scheduled at a later date.
In addition to the prison sentence, Chacon and her co-defendant Patricia Hurtado have been ordered to pay $3.3 million in restitution for their criminal actions, which include Medicaid fraud. According to Attorney General Raúl Torrez, “This case is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating consequences of abuse against our most vulnerable New Mexicans. Mary Melero deserved care, dignity, and protection, not exploitation and harm. Today’s conviction ensures accountability and makes clear that anyone who exploits vulnerable individuals will face severe, life-altering consequences.”
The New Mexico Department of Justice charged Chacon and Hurtado in May 2023 following Melero’s death in April 2023. In February 2023, Melero was found by Customs and Border Patrol agents near the U.S.-Mexico border suffering from severe dehydration, drugging, open wounds, chronic bedsores with exposed bone, bruises, and lacerations. The defendants were remanded into custody in June 2025 after violating release conditions by tampering with GPS monitors and contacting each other. In September 2025, an agreement was reached with Hurtado that secured testimony against Chacon as well as restitution.
Chacon is jointly liable for $861,649.47 to the State of New Mexico and $2.5 million to Melero’s estate as part of the plea agreement. Several state and federal agencies participated in the investigation 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 Albuquerque FBI Field Office.
The case was investigated by the Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Bureau (MFEAB) within the New Mexico Department of Justice. The MFEAB receives most of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling over $3 million for federal fiscal year 2026; remaining funds are provided by the State of New Mexico.
The New Mexico Attorney General serves as chief legal officer for the state while providing services across all counties according to the official website. The office coordinates with local law enforcement agencies for public safety efforts; advances justice through civil litigation and criminal prosecutions; seeks to protect consumers; supports law enforcement; upholds rule of law; fosters trust; promotes accountability via community outreach initiatives.
Further details can be found at the organization’s press release.
