Courts

Los Alamos Police Blotter: May 28 – June 10, 2020

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LAPD News:

The following information is provided by the Los Alamos Police Department.

Neither arrests nor charges indicate a conviction, and neither means that a person is guilty of the charges filed against them.

 

MATTHEW AGUINALDO GOMEZ

June 6 at 9:22 p.m. / Police arrested Matthew Aguinaldo Gomez, 30, of Santa Fe at Smith’s on an outstanding warrant from another jurisdiction.

 

 

 

 

 

VIRGIL RAMSEY VIGIL

June 9 at 11:44 a.m. /Police arrested Virgil Ramsey Vigil, 31, of Española on the Canyon Rim Trail ad charged him with two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Rules In Cases Involving People Who Fled Unmarked Police Cars

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — A New Mexico law making it a felony to flee a pursuing law enforcement officer requires police to be wearing a uniform and driving a vehicle with visible markings such as the police agency’s insignia, the state Supreme Court ruled June 11.

In a divided decision resolving two consolidated cases, the state’s highest court interpreted provisions of a law used to prosecute people who lead police on high-speed chases. 

Under the law, a person can be charged with aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer for driving in a reckless way that endangers others after being signaled Read More

FBI: Mescalero Woman Pleads Guilty To Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Kylee Mee-Shell Martinez, 27, of Mescalero pleaded guilty June 1 in federal court in Las Cruces to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

According to Martinez’s plea agreement and other public court records, Martinez got into an argument with another woman Oct. 6, 2019 at a house party on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.

Martinez punched the victim in the face and body and backed the victim into a pole on the front porch. The victim’s head slammed against the pole causing a two-inch laceration. The victim lost consciousness. She later needed eight staples at the Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Nakamura To Retire

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Chief Justice Judith K. Nakamura

From the Administrative Office of the Courts:

SANTA FE – Chief Justice Judith K. Nakamura has announced that she will retire from the New Mexico Supreme Court effective Aug. 1.

She has served as chief justice since June 2017, and joined the state’s highest court in December 2015.

“In my years on the bench, I’ve always strived to not only make the best legal decisions possible but to improve people’s lives and advance the administration of justice,” Chief Justice Nakamura said.

The Court will elect a new Chief Justice July 15.

While leading the judicial branch of Read More

New Mexico Attorney General Balderas Announces Police Use Of Force Review, Calls On Legislature To Immediately Institute Body-Worn Camera Law And Chokehold Ban

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Attorney General Hector Balderas

From the Office of Attorney General Hector Balderas:

SANTA FE – Attorney General Hector Balderas today announced that the Office of the Attorney General is investigating the death of Rodney Lynch for possible illegal use of force by members of the Gallup Police Department.

Attorney General Balderas also called on the Legislature to create uniform use of force policies in law:

“Increased transparency and accountability protects the community, as well as law enforcement,” Attorney General Balderas said. “I am asking that the Legislature immediately create Read More

State Supreme Court Stops Consumer Debt Collection Orders To Help New Mexicans During Public Health Emergency

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE  — The state Supreme Court Friday provided temporary protections for New Mexicans in consumer debt cases from having wages withheld and some of their assets taken to repay creditors during the current public health emergency and economic downturn.

The Court suspended the issuance of new writs of garnishment and writs of execution for consumer debt collection in district, magistrate and metropolitan court cases effective today, June 8.

The suspension will remain in effect until a further order of the state’s highest court. 

The Court said in today’s order it acted “in response Read More

FBI: Navajo Nation Man Pleads Guilty To Abusive Contact

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Garrith Bitsilly, 33, of Newcomb, N.M., pleaded guilty in federal court in Albuquerque June 1 to a charge of abusive sexual contact in Indian Country.

According to Bitsilly’s plea agreement, he committed the offense between Feb. 1, 2014, and Aug. 31, 2014 within the territory of the Navajo Nation in San Juan County. Bitsilly forced a child under the age of 12 to have sexual contact with him at a family member’s residence. Bitsilly is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.

Bitsilly is in custody pending sentencing. He faces 63 months in prison under the terms of his plea agreement. Read More