U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Sentencing of Belen Couple for Theft from Isleta Pueblo Business

ALBUQUERQUE – A Belen couple were sentenced for stealing $10,420.63 from a general store on the Isleta Pueblo, after pleading guilty to federal theft charges involving a coordinated burglary captured on surveillance footage.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on February 3, 2023, Frank Hernandez, 44, entered the business office of Chical Haystack, a general store located within the Isleta Pueblo, and stole $7,285.75 in cash and a check for $3,134.88 from the store’s safe.

Frank in the store’s safe

His wife, Eva Hernandez, 46, acted as a lookout during the incident.

Eva (highlighted) acting as lookout

Surveillance footage showed Frank’s distinctive neck tattoo, which aided in his identification.

Frank’s neck tattoo, visible in another mugshot.

Following an anonymous tip on February 7, 2023, an Isleta Pueblo Criminal Investigator identified the suspects through social media and vehicle-registration searches. Frank and Eva Hernandez were arrested on February 13, 2024.

During police interviews, Frank Hernandez admitted to the theft, stating he used the money to purchase drugs. Eva Hernandez denied knowledge of the theft but admitted opiate use.

Frank Hernandez was sentenced to 257 days incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release. Mandatory conditions of Frank’s supervised release include substance-abuse treatment, mental-health treatment, community service, and full restitution to Chical Haystack. He cannot return to the Isleta Pueblo.

Eva Hernandez was sentenced to six months of home confinement with GPS monitoring. She will thereafter be under supervision for 2.5 years, with mandatory conditions to include substance-abuse treatment, community service, and full restitution to Chical Haystack. She cannot return to the Isleta Pueblo.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.

The Isleta Police Department investigated this case with assistance from the Belen Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Jones and Brittany DuChaussee are prosecuting these cases.

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