Second-degree murder convict allegedly violates probation

SANDOVAL COUNTY — A man who pleaded guilty to second -degree murder in 2003 has allegedly violated probation.

Scott Dante, 49, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated battery, kidnapping, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence, conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence and arson in the 13th Judicial District Court in Sandoval County.

He was one of a few people involved with the death of Paul Sanchez, according to local news coverage. Sanchez was found buried on the West Mesa after he disappeared in 2002. 

According to court records, Dante was sentenced to 25 years in prison with five years of supervised probation. Since Dante had been incarcerated before sentencing, he received a credit of 551 days on his sentencing.

A criminal complaint filed in Albuquerque states Dante was released from prison in August 2024 with two years of parole and five years of probation.

It states that he violated that probation on Feb. 25 by being arrested for organized retail crime, possession of a controlled substance, trafficking a controlled substance and two counts of tampering with evidence at Home Depot on Renaissance Boulevard in Albuquerque. The thefts allegedly occurred between December and February.

Dante was scheduled for a probation violation hearing in Sandoval County March 23, but the hearing was continued.