In a tragic end to a desperate search, 15-year-old Hispanic male Collin Romero was found deceased on December 29, 2018. Romero, along with his 14-year-old friend Ahmed Lateef, had been reported missing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, on December 16, 2018. Their bodies were discovered weeks later in a shallow grave in a remote area west of Rio Rancho.
The scene was described as extremely violent, and it was later revealed that both teenagers had been tortured, beaten, and had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
The investigation into the double homicide revealed a connection to a drug deal that had gone awry. Shortly after the boys disappeared, a disturbing video surfaced on Snapchat showing them badly beaten, which led authorities to believe they were in grave danger. This social media clue became a critical piece of the investigation as police worked to identify the individuals responsible for the brutal crime that shook the community.
Authorities eventually made several arrests in connection with the murders. Three men, Stephen Goldman Jr., Jimmie Atkins, and Julio Almentero, were charged with a multitude of crimes, including first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and tampering with evidence. In February 2023, a jury found all three men guilty on all counts. They were subsequently sentenced to two consecutive life sentences.
Two other individuals were also implicated in the case. Stephen Goldman Sr., the father of one of the convicted men, faced charges for tampering with evidence, specifically for burning the car used to transport the victims' bodies. He accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to a four-year term. Another man, Anthony Aragon, pleaded guilty to his role in dumping and burying the bodies of the two teenagers and is currently serving a six-year sentence for his involvement.
