Denver Man Pleads Guilty To Murder Of Fellow Inmate, Multiple Armed Robberies Of Metro Area Businesses

DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Ely Michael Delmastro, 50, of Denver, pleaded guilty today to one count of murder in the first degree, and eight counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in eight armed robberies.

According to the plea agreements and facts established in court, Delmastro was being held at the Englewood Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in September 2025 when he killed fellow inmate ‘M.T.’ with a homemade metal weapon sharpened into a knife.  At the time of the murder, Delmastro was being held at FCI Englewood on charges related to the armed robberies of eight metro area businesses that occurred during July and August of 2024. Delmastro also pleaded guilty to those armed robberies today.

Delmastro faces a minimum sentence of life in prison for the murder charge, and 56 years to life in prison for the armed robbery charges.  Sentencing is scheduled for December 11.

United States District Judge Philp A. Brimmer presided over the hearing.

The FBI Denver Field Office handled the investigation.

The Violent Crimes Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado handled the prosecution. 

Case Numbers: 26-cr-187-PAB; 24-cr-274-PAB