Man Sentenced for Murder of Truck Driver in West Texas

KERMIT, TX — A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal 2022 murder and dismemberment of a commercial vehicle driver — a crime that unfolded across both West Texas and New Mexico.

Ramon Alejandro Rodriguez Hernandez was sentenced by a Winkler County jury for the death of Alexis Sanchez Azcuy, 48.

Authorities say the case involved multiple jurisdictions and gruesome details, ultimately leading to the suspect's capture and conviction. The court handed down a life sentence, reflecting the severity of the crime and its far-reaching impact.

The investigation began in March 2022 after Sanchez Azcuy was reported missing to the Winkler County Sheriff's Office when his empty truck was discovered. Sanchez Azcuy had last contacted his family days before his vehicle was found. Over several months, investigators located Sanchez Azcuy’s scattered remains in Winkler County, Texas, and Lea County, New Mexico, confirming he had been murdered and his body dismembered.

Cell phone records and DNA evidence led investigators to identify Rodriguez Hernandez as a suspect in the case. He was taken into custody in Hobbs, New Mexico, on July 11, 2022, initially facing a charge of tampering with evidence. As the investigation continued, additional charges were filed against him, including the murder of Alexis Sanchez Azcuy and abuse of a corpse. Hernandez was later extradited to Texas to face trial.

“Ramon Alejandro Rodriguez Hernandez has been sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years for the brutal, cold-blooded murder and dismemberment of his victim,” said FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge John Morales. He noted that Hernandez attempted to escape accountability by scattering the victim’s remains across West Texas, believing he could avoid justice.

Texas Department of Public Safety West Texas Region Chief Jose Sanchez highlighted the importance of interagency collaboration, stating, “Thanks to the strong partnerships between local, state, and federal agencies, Ramon Alejandro Rodriguez Hernandez will never again pose a threat to the public.”

Winkler County District Attorney Amanda Navarette praised the verdict, saying in a statement, "Alexis Sanchez Azcuy was brutally murdered and dismembered, his family had to endure months of distress while he was missing and navigate the long process of the identification of his remains." She added that the swift verdict and sentence by the Winkler County jurors sent "a clear message that violent, heinous crimes will not be tolerated."