Courts

New Mexico Securities Division Joins CFTC To Charge Precious Metals Dealers Metals.com And Barrick Capital Inc. In $185 Million Scheme Targeting Elderly Investors

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STATE News:

SANTA FE – The Securities Division of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department announced Wednesday that it is participating in a consolidated nationwide enforcement action to halt a fraudulent precious metals scheme that has solicited $185 million from at least 1,600 seniors and other investors.

The New Mexico Securities Division has joined the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and 29 other states in filing a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alleging Metals.com and Barrick Capital Inc. defendants solicited $185 million Read More

FBI: Gang Member ‘Baby G’ Pleads Guilty To Racketeering

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Jonathan “Baby G” Gomez, a member of the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico prison gang, pleaded guilty Sept. 25 to a racketeer influenced and corrupt organization (RICO) indictment.

The indictment, to which Gomez pleaded guilty, details various acts and communications since 2002 in which Gomez participated in relation to his membership in the organization.

As described in the indictment, those communications discussed gang business, including illicit activities, and coordinated acts of violence, some of which were facilitated, directed or ordered by Gomez.

Gomez faces Read More

New Mexico Judiciary’s Deborah Dungan Honored With Judge Sarah M. Singleton Distinguished Service Award

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Deborah Dungan

NMSC News:

SANTA FE — Deborah Dungan, the only attorney administrative assistant to serve four New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justices consecutively, was honored recently as the first recipient of the Sarah M. Singleton Distinguished Bar Service Award at the New Mexico Bar’s annual meeting held virtually.

The award recognizes attorneys who have “provided valuable service and contributions to the legal profession, the State Bar of New Mexico and the public over an extended period of time”.

The award is named in honor of Sarah M. Singleton, a District Court judge in the First Read More

Udall On Supreme Court Nominee Amy Coney Barrett 

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From the Office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall:

Udall: ‘Make no mistake: Senate Republicans are trying to rush a justice onto the court in time to decide on Donald Trump and the Republicans’ suit to destroy the Affordable Care Act — as the nation battles a pandemic that’s killed over 200,000 Americans’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on President Trump’s intention to nominate Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court.

No Supreme Court Justice has ever been confirmed this close to a presidential election in history. In early November, Read More

FBI: Member Of Jicarilla Apache Nation Found Guilty Of Domestic Assault By Habitual Offender In Indian Country

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Following a two-day trial, a federal jury in Albuquerque returned a guilty verdict Sept. 22 against Quentin Veneno, Jr., 34, of Dulce, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, on two counts of Domestic Assault by a Habitual Offender and one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

United States District Judge Kea W. Riggs presided.

Aug. 22, 2018, and again Nov. 2, 2018, Veneno physically abused the victim, whom he was dating at the time, at her residence within the exterior boundaries of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Nation Reservation.

Veneno broke Read More

AG Balderas: Natural Resources And Environmental Equity Initiative, Appointment Of Equity Advisory Council

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Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Tuesday that the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General is launching an initiative focused on equity and access to justice concerns for minority communities in the natural resources and environmental protection arenas.

The Office of the Attorney General has started by appointing an advisory council comprising representatives for marginalized communities who have historically been ignored in policy and decision making in these areas, and who bear disproportionately negative consequences Read More

FBI: Albuquerque Man Charged Under Operation Legend

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Jose Armijo, 36, of Albuquerque made an appearance in Federal Court Thursday facing two counts of robbery by threats and violence.

Armijo remains in custody.

According to a criminal complaint, Dec. 30, 2018, Armijo allegedly entered a retail store with several accomplices and began placing high-value items into backpacks and laundry bags.

As Armijo and his accomplices approached the store exit, Armijo allegedly brandished a firearm to threaten the store manager and security guard and left the store with stolen merchandise.

July 16, according to the complaint, Armijo Read More

Los Alamos Post Office Flies Flags At Half-Staff Today In Recognition Of Passing Of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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Flags fly at half-staff today at the Los Alamos Post Office in recognition of the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Saturday ordered all flags to half-staff in the state in recognition of the death of Justice Bader Ginsburg. Per U.S. flag code, upon the death of an associate justice of the Supreme Court, flags shall be flown at half-staff from the day of death until interment. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

Fleeing Suspects Open Fire On New Mexico State Police Officers During Pursuit In Albuquerque Thursday Night

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Rochelle Lopez

NMSP News:

ALBUQUERQUE — At approximately 11 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, a New Mexico State Police Officer on patrol in Albuquerque initiated a traffic stop on a blue Chevrolet pickup truck with two occupants driving with no taillights on Carlisle near I-40.

The truck failed to stop for the officer, and a pursuit ensued. 

The suspects took officers on a lengthy pursuit west on I-40 to Coors and onto Atrisco. Officers set up tire deflation devices near Central and Atrisco and were able to deflate the left front tire of the vehicle.

Cory Gabrielle

With one flat tire, the suspects tried Read More