Zachary Babitz sentenced to life in prison for armed robbery and carjacking crime spree that ended in fatal shooting (DOJ)

ALBUQUERQUE - Zachary Babitz was sentenced to life plus 26 years in federal prison for a series of armed robberies and carjackings across New Mexico in 2024, including the fatal shooting of an 83-year-old Santa Fe man during a carjacking.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, between July 30 and August 10, 2024, Babitz, 40, committed a series of armed robberies, carjackings and a fatal shooting across Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Doña Ana counties.

Babitz's crime spree began on July 30, 2024, when he entered an AutoZone in Albuquerque armed with a handgun, demanded money from an employee and stole approximately $345. The following day, he robbed a Wells Fargo bank in Albuquerque by presenting a demand note and indicating he was armed, obtaining approximately $3,300.

On August 3, Babitz robbed a Jersey Mike's restaurant at gunpoint, taking cash from the register and forcing an employee to open a safe where additional money was stolen.

On August 6, 2024, Babitz committed a carjacking in Santa Fe County during which he confronted 83-year-old John Doe with a firearm. When Doe offered resistance, Babitz shot him, rifled through his pockets for the vehicle keys and left him in a parking lot. Doe later died from his injuries.

Even after the killing, Babitz continued his violent crime spree. On August 9, he carried out another carjacking in Bernalillo County, knocking the victim unconscious. On August 10 in Las Cruces, Babitz and an accomplice robbed an Arby's restaurant at gunpoint, stealing cash, and later that same day participated in another armed carjacking in which they forced a victim from a vehicle at gunpoint. While fleeing from law enforcement, Babitz crashed the stolen vehicle and was found hiding in a nearby dumpster.

At the time of the offenses, Babitz was on state probation for six robberies committed in Albuquerque and had a lengthy history of violent felony convictions. His adult criminal record dates to 2004 and includes armed carjackings in Nevada and California, including an incident in which he fired a gun while attempting to steal a woman's purse. After moving to New Mexico, he was convicted in 2018 for a series of six robberies committed over several weeks.

Babitz was charged by federal indictment with 13 counts arising from the 2024 crime spree. On October 22, 2025, the United States filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty. On April 17, 2026, Babitz and the United States entered into a binding plea agreement calling for a sentence of life imprisonment.

Babitz pleaded guilty to all 13 counts of the indictment, including two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of bank robbery, one count of carjacking resulting in death, one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and causing death through the use and possession of a firearm, one count of carjacking, two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting, two counts of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and aiding and abetting, one count of carjacking and aiding and abetting, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge A.J. Gibes of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement today.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the FBI's Albuquerque Field Office, Santa Fe Police Department, Albuquerque Police Department and Las Cruces Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Elena Stiteler and Natasha Moghadam are prosecuting the case.