APD detectives charge three in murder-for-hire deal

July 14, 2022

ALBUQUERQUE -- APD detectives arrested three people today who allegedly executed a murder-for-hire deal to kill Gary Escareno last May.

The man who ordered the hit, Martin Trujillo, 45, wanted revenge against Escareno, 46. The two men had a falling out after they coordinated on a rental assistance scheme, and Trujillo refused to pay Escareno his share of the money. Escareno later robbed Trujillo.

Detectives determined Trujillo paid a gang member by the name of Freddy Granger to kill Escareno. Granger, 41, and Cassandra Dominguez, 37, met up with Escareno on May 1, 2022, at an Albuquerque Taco Bell. They drove to the area of Tahiti St and Morenci Ave N.E. sometime after 10 p.m., and Granger allegedly shot Escareno in the head. The vehicle crashed into a light pole.

Dominguez sent a text message to Trujillo at 11:10 p.m. that stated, “Done deed.” At 11:54 p.m., Trujillo asked Granger for his Cash App username. At 12:25 a.m. on May 2, 2022, Granger responded to Trujillo with the message, “Money landed TY.”

An acquaintance of Trujillo and Escareno told detectives that Trujillo paid Granger $15,000 in the form of a vehicle, 100 Fentanyl pills, one pound of methamphetamine and cash.

ATF agents took Granger and Dominguez into custody on July 8, 2022, on separate outstanding felony warrants. A gun was recovered during the arrest.

Trujillo is charged with an open count of murder and conspiracy. Granger and Dominguez are charged with an open count of murder.

###