Third Codefendant Sentenced for 2021 Carjackings

A Tulsa man who took part in two carjackings was sentenced in federal court Friday, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. His two codefendants were sentenced in January.

Chief U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III sentenced Carlos Alfredo Arroliga, 27, to 168 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. He previously pleaded guilty to two counts of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

“Carlos Arroliga took part in two armed carjackings at apartment complexes in Tulsa. He and his two cohorts are now headed to federal prison where they can no longer threaten, terrorize and put Tulsans’ lives at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Protecting our community from violence is a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners at the Tulsa Police Department. I appreciate Chief Franklin and the officers who have dedicated themselves to seeking justice and protecting this community. Their work is critical to bringing violent offenders to account for the harm they cause to victims.”

Codefendant Raul Hernandez-Moreno, 22, was sentenced to 225 months in federal prison after he was convicted at trial of two counts of carjacking; two counts of carrying, using and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and possession of a firearm and ammunition by an alien illegally in the United States.

Codefendant Nicole Marie Rumualdo, aka Nicole Hughes, 29, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

On Oct. 26, 2021, Hernandez-Moreno, Rumualdo, and Arroliga were responsible for two carjackings in Tulsa. At 7:30 am, Hernandez-Moreno and his two accomplices pulled alongside a gray 2006 Mazda 3 in the Echo Trails Apartments in Tulsa. The defendants exited their blue SUV, and Rumualdo pointed a loaded handgun at the victim. Hernandez-Moreno blocked the victim from behind. Speaking in Spanish, Rumualdo demanded the victim’s wallet and cell phone. When the victim responded that he did not have his wallet and cell phone, Rumualdo snatched the victim’s keys. Hernandez-Moreno and Rumualdo drove off in the Mazda, and Arroliga followed in the blue SUV.

A few hours later, the three defendants targeted a maintenance worker in his parked vehicle at Bristol Park Apartments in Tulsa. The victim was preparing to perform repairs at the complex when the defendants pulled into a nearby spot. Hernandez-Moreno then approached the victim and pointed a loaded gun at the victim, ordering him to hand over his money. Hernandez-Moreno then took the victim’s keys and drove off in the victim’s 2010 gray Chevrolet Silverado. Arroliga and Rumualdo followed in the blue SUV.

Officers were able to locate surveillance footage of the crimes from one of the apartment complexes. The video showed the vehicle used by the defendants, a bright blue Ford Escape with a paper tag and unique license plate frame. The same day of the crime, the blue Ford Escape was observed on Garnett Road, and a traffic stop was initiated because it matched the description of the SUV seen in the surveillance video. Arroliga was driving the vehicle and taken into custody for questioning. On Oct. 27, 2020, Hernandez-Moreno and Rumualdo were found in the stolen Mazda at the Echo Trails Apartment complex. They were immediately taken into custody.

The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gina S. Gilmore, Joel-lyn A. McCormick, and Thomas E. Buscemi prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.