COURT News:

Los Alamos Magistrate Judge Pat Casados issued a bench warrant Friday for Hazel Bucholz, 18, of Jemez after she failed to appear in Court for a preliminary hearing.

Bucholz was arrested June 20 and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of a drug paraphernalia after Los Alamos Police Cpl. Jemuel Montoya was dispatched to a report of a juvenile driver that was under the influence of drugs. Following a traffic stop, the driver was placed under arrest and other occupants were asked to get out so that the vehicle could be returned to its owner.

Montoya’s report said Bucholz was asked if she had any items on her person that Montoya needed to be aware of and that she allegedly replied that she had some needles in her bag. Bucholz allegedly gave Montoya a sunglasses case containing hypodermic needles, one of which allegedly contained a clear liquid and a plastic box containing a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine.

Bucholz had her first appearance June 21 before Judge Casados. She also is facing a preliminary hearing Dec. 1 in Bernalillo County on a charge of fraud greater than $500 and less than $2,500.

District Attorney Kent Wahlquist said Friday that Bucholz had missed her previously scheduled hearing due to a family emergency but had not contacted the Court this time.