Ahmed Lateef was 14 when he and 15-year-old Collin Romero were found buried in a remote area of Sandoval County, west of Rio Rancho, on December 29, 2018. Investigators reported the boys had been tortured, beaten, stabbed, and shot; Ahmed Lateef sustained 19 gunshot wounds and Collin Romero 9 gunshot wounds. The deaths were described as connected to a botched drug deal on Albuquerque’s West Mesa.

Three men were identified as the accused perpetrators: Stephen Goldman Jr., Julio Almentero, and Jimmie Atkins. A separate individual, Anthony Aragon, was said to have helped bury the bodies and later pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and conspiracy for that role. The case has been tried in court and jury verdicts were reported.

Anyone who knew Ahmed, Collin, their movements on West Mesa, or who has information about the events leading up to December 29, 2018, is asked to come forward.