Two convicted in 2020 murder of Cassandra Lucero
The two people charged in the 2020 death of Cassandra Lucero have accepted separate plea agreements, avoiding trial.
Lucero’s charred remains were located on a ranch in Mora in October 2020 after family had reported her missing weeks prior. Following the discovery of the remains, police arrested Amber J. Archuleta, now 29, and John T. Sanders, now 26. Both were charged in Lucero’s disappearance and death.
A trial for Archuleta and Sanders was scheduled to begin March 15, but plea agreements were reached for both.
Under the terms of the agreements, Archuleta pleaded no contest to charges of second-degree murder, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.
Sanders pleaded guilty to kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence.
Fourth Judicial District Attorney Tom Clayton said in a statement that his office had been in communication with Lucero’s family as the case moved through the courts.
“We extend our condolences to the family of Ms. Lucero,” Clayton said. “As a father and grandfather, I cannot imagine the pain they have gone through. I ask that the community keep Cassandra and her family in your prayers.”
Days after she went missing, someone reported seeing Lucero with Archuleta in a red minivan near a home in the 900 block of Tilden Street. Witnesses reported seeing Archuleta cleaning the interior of the van days later.
A maroon Chrysler Town & Country minivan was reported stolen Sept. 21, 2020, and days later, an investigator with the Las Vegas Police Department located the minivan at an Allsup’s. Inside, police found blood stains.
The van’s owner told police Archuleta had been in possession of the van for days, after taking it without permission.
One day after the van was located, police began investigating reports that the van had been on a ranch in Ojo Feliz, an unincorporated part of Mora County. There, in a fire pit, police located the charred remains of Lucero.
Following his arrest, Sanders told police that he’d driven the minivan, with Archuleta and Lucero as passengers, to purchase crack cocaine on “the block,” a stretch of Chavez Street on the west side.
Sanders told police that Lucero asked to be dropped off at a mobile home park near Seventh Street and Harris Road, but instead, Sanders drove to the ranch in Ojo Feliz. He told investigators that during the drive, Archuleta began hitting Lucero, and that Archuleta continued to beat Lucero “intermittently” all the way to the ranch, according to arrest affidavits filed in Magistrate Court. He said by the time they arrived at the ranch, Lucero was dead.
Sanders admitted to helping Archuleta burn Lucero’s body in the fire pit, a fire they kept going for two days, according to the affidavits. He told investigators he and Archuleta also burned their clothes because they were covered in blood.
Sentencing in the case will be at the discretion of the court, according to Clayton. Dates for sentencing hearings had not been scheduled as of this writing.
Archuleta faces 10 to 18 years in prison, and five years supervised probation. Sanders faces five to eight years in prison, and five years supervised probation.
