Courts

New Mexico Supreme Court Upholds First-Degree Felony Murder Convictions Of Santa Fe County Teenager

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Supreme Court  (NMSC) Monday upheld the first-degree felony murder convictions of a Santa Fe County man for killing three members of a northern New Mexico family when he was 16 years old.

In a unanimous opinion, the state’s highest court concluded that the constitutional rights of Nicholas Ortiz were not violated when he was sentenced as an adult without a special proceeding to determine whether he was amenable to treatment or rehabilitation as a juvenile.

State law requires such a proceeding – known as an “amenability hearing” – for juvenile offenders other Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Rules Encourage Mortgage Servicers To Work With Borrowers To Prevent Foreclosures   

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New Mexico Supreme Court News:

SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court today adopted rules to help New Mexicans facing the potential loss of their homes after the end of a federal foreclosure moratorium.

Under civil case procedures established by the rules, a foreclosing creditor cannot obtain a judgment against a homeowner until certifying that loan modification and “loss mitigation” negotiations were attempted with the borrower. Before the filing of a foreclosure case, the rules require that homeowners be given information about their loan and possible ways to avoid losing their house.

The Read More

New Mexico In Depth: Latest Corruption Scandal Points To Need For Greater Transparency And Spending Oversight

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A chart New Mexico In Depth put together in 2018 detailing scandals involving public officials since 2005. Courtesy/New Mexico In Depth

By MARJORIE CHILDRESS
New Mexico In Depth 

Regardless of the outcome, the investigation into Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton points to a need for greater spending oversight when it comes to public money.

We are digesting the news this week that investigators at the Attorney General’s Office suspect Democratic House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton of Albuquerque funneled almost $1 million of public money out of Albuquerque Public Schools, her

Read More

Amid Criminal Allegations Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton Resigns From New Mexico House Of Representatives

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Sheryl Williams Stapleton 

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Today, Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton resigned from the New Mexico House of Representatives, including from her position as House Majority Leader.

In response, Speaker of the House Brian Egolf, House Majority Whip Doreen Gallegos, and House Majority Caucus Chair D. Wonda Johnson issued the following statement:

“Given the weight of the allegations against Rep. Stapleton and the ongoing investigation, her resignation from the House is appropriate and in the best interest of the Legislature and the state. There is important work to be done Read More

Governor Issues Statement On Reports Of Law Enforcement Action At Home And Business Of State Rep. Stapleton

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House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton

From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement today following media reports of allegations (racketeering, money laundering, receiving illegal kickbacks) into a member of the state House of Representatives (House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton):

“I am deeply, deeply troubled by the reports this morning about a law enforcement investigation into Rep. Stapleton. People are innocent until proven otherwise, and I know investigators will follow the facts wherever they lead. Read More

Attorneys Can Now Electronically File Civil Lawsuits In Magistrate Courts Across New Mexico

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Chief Justice Michael Vigil

AOC News:

SANTA FE — Attorneys can now electronically file civil lawsuits in magistrate courts across New Mexico.

“Electronic filing benefits all New Mexicans because it improves the efficiency of our courts,” Chief Justice Michael E. Vigil said.

E-filing allows litigants to submit digital documents instead of paper and, if they choose, to electronically deliver copies to other parties in the case. Attorneys are able to conveniently initiate civil lawsuits and file subsequent documents in cases without traveling to a magistrate court.

This saves time for Read More

FBI: Former New Mexico State Police Officer Daniel Capehart Convicted Of Distribution Of Methamphetamine

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Daniel Capehart, 36, of Bloomfield, was convicted July 22 by a federal jury of three counts of distribution of marijuana and methamphetamine, two of which occurred within 1,000 feet of a school and playground, in Farmington.

According to court records, on June 15, 2018, Capehart, then a patrol officer with the New Mexico State Police, conducted a traffic stop during which he came into contact with a 16-year-old passenger identified as Jane Doe 1 in Farmington. Capehart requested Jane Doe 1’s phone number, email address and date of birth. Capehart then gave Jane Doe 1 a Read More

FBI: Man From Las Cruces Sentenced To 12 Years In Federal Prison For Attempting To Coerce And Entice A Child

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Ismael Valdez, 38, of Las Cruces was sentenced July 19 in Federal Court to 12 years in prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a child. Valdez pleaded guilty to these charges Aug. 27, 2020.

According to his plea agreement, between April 29, 2020, and May 29, 2020, Valdez met and messaged an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 13-year-old girl on a social networking application.

During the conversations, Valdez sent sexually explicit material to “the child” and asked her to send sexually explicit material to him. Valdez arranged to meet with the child Read More

FBI: Artesia Couple Charged In Connection To Bank Robbery

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Roman Andrew Poulsen, 39, and Lori Crapo, 40, both of Artesia, appeared in federal court July 16 on charges for their respective roles in a July 15 bank robbery.

Poulsen faces a charge of bank robbery while Crapo is accused of being an accessory after the fact. The defendants will remain in custody pending a detention hearing.

According to a criminal complaint, Poulsen allegedly entered a Washington Federal Bank July 15 in Artesia with his face concealed by a mask, dark glasses and a hood. Poulsen allegedly handed a demand note to a teller, then fled the bank after the teller Read More

New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney’s Office Launches Courthouse Facility Dog Program

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Courthouse Facility Dog Judge with his handlers, little helpers, District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, her wife Jo and members of Assistance Dogs of the West. Courtesy/Office of the District Attorney

From the Office of the District Attorney:

SANTA FE —The First Judicial District Attorney’s Office announces that it has launched a partnership with Assistance Dogs of the West (ADW), which has placed a Courthouse Facility Dog, aptly named Judge, with the office.

Assistance Dogs of the West is a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency that builds successful working partnerships between clients and dogs Read More