The wife of one of the fake DTE Energy workers linked to the murder of a Rochester Hills businessman, who was also charged after dozens of her text messages were read in court, appeared for her arraignment on Wednesday.
Amanda Ileana Hernandez, 34, from Lincoln Park, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree home invasion, accessory after the fact and conspiracy to commit false impersonation of a utility worker.
--> Wife of fake DTE worker charged in Rochester Hills murder -- read 89 texts she sent husband
She is the wife of Carlos Hernandez, who was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering Hussein Murray.
Joshua Zuazo was also sentenced to life in connection with the murder.
--> ‘Absolutely pathetic’: 2 men who posed as DTE workers, murdered Rochester Hills man sentenced
According to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, Amanda Hernandez allegedly played an active role in the planning and cover-up of the crime.
She was arraigned on Jan. 28, 2026, and was given a $100,000 cash bond. She was ordered not to contact her husband, Zuazo or the victim’s family.
If convicted, Amanda Hernandez faces up to 20 years in prison.
Background
Carlos Hernandez and Zuazo were charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. The two allegedly disguised themselves as DTE workers to gain entry to Murray’s home on Oct. 11, 2024.
Murray owned a jewelry store in Hamtramck. During the attack, his wife was present and tied up with duct tape while Murray was killed in the basement.
The woman managed to call 911 after freeing herself, and when Oakland County sheriff’s deputies arrived, she told them she believed her husband may have been kidnapped. While searching the home, deputies found Murray’s body in the basement.
Carlos Hernandez was arrested on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office said Hernandez was spotted traveling south on I-49 from Arkansas. Investigators pulled him over and took him into custody.
He was extradited from Louisiana and taken to the Oakland County Jail on Oct. 24, 2024.
After her husband was arrested, Amanda Hernandez reportedly told investigators the other suspect was Zuazo, who was then located by law enforcement in Plymouth Township and arrested on Oct. 14, 2024.
Carlos Hernandez and Zuazo were convicted of their charges and are now spending life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Next court appearance
Amanda Hernandez is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 9, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., possibly via Zoom.