Cobb County District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. has announced that Hugho Pacheco, 53, pleaded guilty to charges of malice murder and aggravated sexual battery after a jury was seated on November 18, 2024. The sentencing was conducted by Superior Court Judge Julie Adams Jacobs, who handed down a life imprisonment sentence.
The case stems from an incident on April 25, 2023, when three juvenile girls awoke to the sound of a loud bang. Upon investigating, they discovered their mother on the ground with her boyfriend, Hugho Pacheco, standing over her. He then ushered the girls back into a bedroom and instructed them to remain quiet.
Fearing for their lives, the girls stayed in the room but later observed Pacheco outside placing something into the trunk of their mother's vehicle before fleeing the state in it. The victim's daughter managed to obtain a phone from a downstairs tenant and called law enforcement.
Upon arrival at the scene, police found Yuridiana Villalobos, aged 58 and mother to the girls, deceased with a gunshot wound to her abdomen. Her body was wrapped in a sheet on the dining room floor. Officers also discovered cell phones scattered outside and other evidence inside indicating violence had occurred.
Forensic interviews revealed that Pacheco had been sexually abusing one of the juveniles prior to committing murder. Approximately two weeks following these events, he was apprehended by U.S. Marshals in Alamo, Texas.
“Today’s outcome ensures that this predator will never harm another innocent person,” said District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr., commending both law enforcement and prosecutors involved in bringing Pacheco to justice.
Senior Assistant District Attorneys Stephanie Green and Jared Horowitz remarked on how “these little girls were separated from their father in 2021” and expressed regret over their mother's decision to allow Pacheco into their home under false pretenses as someone who would care for them like family.
Green continued: "Pacheco robbed them of their childhood... innocence... [and] mother," emphasizing that "the damage to these children is immeasurable." Both prosecutors praised the bravery shown by these young victims throughout court proceedings against their abuser.
The prosecution team consisted of Senior Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Green alongside Assistant District Attorney Jared Horowitz representing state interests; defense representation was provided by attorney James Waring Gibert.