On July 8, 2021, in Roswell, New Mexico, 30-year-old Robert Lollis was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds at a residence on the 1100 block of East Poe Street. Roswell Police responded to the scene around 4:25 a.m., where medical personnel confirmed Lollis's death.
The following day, July 9, 2021, authorities arrested 25-year-old Robert Avila in connection with Lollis's death.
Avila was taken into custody at the Roswell Police Department, where he had been under investigative study since the previous afternoon. He was charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, battery against a household member, and conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence. Avila was held at the Chaves County Detention Center without bond, pending his arraignment hearing.
In October 2024, Avila, then 27, pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and other crimes as part of a plea agreement. He was subsequently sentenced to 15 years in prison. The Roswell Police Department announced the sentencing, noting that Avila's plea resolved the charges stemming from the 2021 incident.
