Jose Ulises Aguilar-Martinez, 23, pleaded guilty today to six charges connected to the July 2024 carjacking that killed 54-year-old Melody Waldecker of Silver Spring. The plea was entered in Loudoun County Circuit Court, just weeks before a jury trial was set to begin on January 5.
According to Loudoun Now and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Aguilar-Martinez had planned to steal a vehicle so he could return to California, where he had lived before relocating to Virginia a few months earlier. Prosecutors say that plan escalated into a violent confrontation outside a Sterling shopping center that ended in Waldecker’s death.
Aguilar-Martinez pleaded guilty to first-degree felony murder, attempted grand larceny, robbery causing death, hit and run resulting in death, reckless driving and hit and run causing more than $250 in damage. Three of the original nine charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement, including felony grand larceny, a second hit-and-run charge and a second-degree felony murder charge.
The charges stem from the July 2024 incident that prompted a large emergency response to the 21000 block of Towncenter Plaza. Deputies were called just before noon for a reported carjacking. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said Waldecker, the owner of the vehicle, was struck as the suspect fled and was pronounced dead shortly afterward. A suspect was arrested the same day, and investigators later noted that additional charges were expected.
Aguilar-Martinez is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on March 26. He faces life in prison for the first-degree murder conviction.
