ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A judge sentenced a teenager who pleaded guilty to killing an Albuquerque homeowner while trying to steal his car in 2023.
Yaquez McKenzie was sentenced to 18.5 years in prison. McKenzie, now 18 years old, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit armed robbery for killing Adrian Vallejos on Dec. 16, 2023.
McKenzie worked with a group of teens to try and steal Vallejos’ vehicle outside of his home. When Vallejos confronted them, the teens shot and killed him…