Alexis Amador-Huggins Sentenced To Life In Prison For Carjacking-Murder Of Stefano Stenbakkers

SAN JUAN, P.R. – Today, Alexis Amador-Huggins was sentenced to life in prison for his participation in the attempted carjacking and murder of Stefano Steenbakkers, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Defendant Alexis Amador-Huggins was found guilty of all charges pending against him after a two week trial.

On or about June 24, 2012, Amador-Huggins and John Anthony Morales-López, aiding and abetting each other, with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm, attempted to take a motor vehicle, that is, a Lexus SUV, that had been transported, shipped, and received in interstate commerce, from 17 year-old Stefano Steenbakkers, by force, violence and intimidation, resulting in his death. In addition to the carjacking charge, the defendants were charged with knowingly possessing a firearm, that is, a black pistol of unknown model and caliber, in furtherance of a carjacking.

Amador-Huggins was driving a 2009 white Jeep Compass, followed Steenbakkers and started rear-ending his vehicle to force him to stop.  The victim refused to stop and called his mother and informed her of the situation, vehicle description and license plate.  Steenbakkers was found shot inside his vehicle by his mother.

“Federal and local law enforcement officers will continue working together to fight violent crime in Puerto Rico,” said US Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez.  “The teamwork between state and federal law enforcement agencies in the investigation of this case was instrumental in the prompt filing of charges against these two individuals for this vicious crime.”

The case was prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney María Dominguez and Assistant United States Attorney Jacqueline D. Novas.