Carjackers Each Sentenced to More than a Decade in Federal Prison

DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Brian Armando Diaz Montellano, age 29, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for carjacking and for discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  Co-defendant Alexis Michele Ruder-Iturrino, age 27, was sentenced to 11 years in prison. 

According to the terms of the plea agreement, Douglas County deputies pursued Diaz Montellano and Ruder-Iturrino on June 19, 2022, while they were driving in a stolen Dodge truck at speeds of approximately 100 miles per hour.  After fleeing from law enforcement, Diaz Montellano drove the truck directly in front of a moving 2022 Subaru Cross Trek, forcing the Subaru to stop.  Diaz Montellano and Ruder-Iturrino got out of the truck and approached the Subaru, demanding the two occupants get out of the car.  Ruder-Iturrino held an AR-15 rifle, pointed it at the victims, and then fired a round into the ground.  Diaz Montellano opened the driver’s side door as Ruder-Iturrino screamed at the driver to get out.  The co-defendants then got into the Subaru and drove away.  Diaz Montellano was later arrested in possession of a loaded 9mm pistol.

“The defendants terrorized their carjacking victims, making them afraid for their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan.  “Based on their conduct they will each have more than ten years in federal prison to consider their actions.”

United States District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore pronounced the sentences for both defendants on April 17, 2023.

This case was investigated by the FBI Denver Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Denver Police Department.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Brian Dunn.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Case No. 22-cr-0260

For more information about the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado, visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr

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