By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

Having concluded its investigation into alleged drinking at a team bonding event at Los Alamos High School (LAHS) in August, the Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) filed petty misdemeanor charges Thursday against the Los Alamos County Sheriff and three LAHS volleyball coaches.

LAPD Cmdr. Daniel Roberts confirmed this morning that LAPD has filed petty misdemeanor charges, with the approval of the District Attorney’s Office, against Sheriff Jason Wardlow-Herrera, Head Coach Joseph Palmer, Assistant Head Coach Natalie Passalacqua and Assistant Coach Bianca Enriquez for having alcohol on school grounds.

The Los Alamos Daily Post reached out this morning to Sheriff Wardlow-Herrera for comment. Sheriff Wardlow-Herrera said he would share information at a later date.

The incident occurred Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, while the Los Alamos High School Volleyball team had a team “lock-in”. The purpose of this event was to serve as an opportunity for team bonding and socializing. They had activities planned through the night such as dinner, glow volleyball and other games.

LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy explained in a statement last August that because bringing alcohol on school grounds is against the law, the district asked LAPD to investigate.

Superintendent Guy confirmed this morning that Palmer, who was also employed as Director of the Human Resources Department, no longer works for the district. Both Enriquez and Passalacqua have resigned their coaching positions at LAPS, and while not charged, coaches Gabriella Vallejos and Sophia Salazar have also resigned their coaching positions.

Superintendent Guy was unable to comment further, explaining that “This is a personnel matter and we cannot comment except to say that student safety is our top priority. We do not condone or tolerate any behavior that puts our students at risk or violates the law.”