A New Mexico woman is facing federal charges after investigators say evidence from her phone contradicted testimony she gave about the guns possessed by her boyfriend, who is now awaiting trial on a murder charge.
Sierra Baca is accused of lying under oath and making a false statement while purchasing a firearm for Bonifacio Silva, according to KRQE.
The station reported that Baca testified during a hearing in Silva’s case that, before a fatal January shooting, she had only seen him with one gun: an AR-style rifle she said belonged to her.
Investigators searching her phone allegedly found something different. KRQE reported that the phone contained photos of Silva firing a Glock handgun at a gun range and other photos showing the couple together while Silva had the same handgun tucked into his waistband.
The phone also allegedly contained messages from April 2025 in which Silva instructed Baca how to try to buy an AR-15, including what to ask at different gun stores. Investigators also found a Snapchat post that reportedly showed Baca with at least $2,000 in cash and a caption saying she planned to buy her boyfriend an AR-15.
A Different Gun
The rifle is not the weapon investigators believe was used in the January killing that eventually put Silva in federal custody.
Instead, KRQE reported that investigators believe the AR-style rifle may be connected to an earlier, nonfatal shooting in Bosque Farms during the summer of 2025.
In that case, investigators believe Silva fired 22 rounds into the home of a man with whom he had been arguing, according to the station. Silva and Baca were identified as people of interest but were not arrested or charged in connection with that shooting.
At the time Baca allegedly purchased the rifle, Silva was on probation, KRQE reported.
The newly reported federal case against Baca centers on what investigators say she did during the purchase and what she later said under oath. An arrest warrant for Baca remained outstanding when KRQE reported the charges.
January Changed It
Silva’s legal situation became considerably more serious after a shooting on Jan. 9, 2026.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico said Pueblo of Isleta Police officers responded to a home in Bosque Farms, within the exterior boundaries of the Pueblo of Isleta, and found an enrolled tribal member suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper chest.
The victim, identified by KRQE as Tyler Jiron, died at the scene despite lifesaving efforts.
Witnesses told investigators that Silva, then 18, fired during a confrontation following an earlier verbal and physical altercation, according to federal prosecutors.
Silva then fled with his pregnant girlfriend.
During a traffic stop that followed, the pair allegedly told an officer that the girlfriend was in labor. They were released, and Silva was later dropped off in Albuquerque.
The FBI issued a wanted notice for Silva on Jan. 12. He was arrested later that day.
Two Federal Cases
Silva was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Federal prosecutors said he would remain in custody pending trial. The charges against Silva are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Baca now faces a federal case of her own based on the testimony and gun purchase described by KRQE. The station reported that she is accused of lying under oath and making a false statement while purchasing the firearm.
An arrest warrant remained outstanding for Baca, while KRQE reported that no trial date had yet been set in Silva’s murder case.