Courts

Los Alamos Magistrate Court Weekly Wrap Up

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STAFF REPORT

BRANDON JOHNSON: Brandon Johnson, 35, of Bernalillo has waived his preliminary hearing in Los Alamos Magistrate Court on a burglary charge and has been bound over to the First Judicial District Court. Johnson was arrested in June 2016 after DNA found on a flashlight he left behind at a residence on Glenview in White Rock was matched to his profile. Los Alamos Police Department responded to a call from the homeowner Feb. 6, 2016 and found that entry had been gained through a back door and the home had been ransacked. The estimated loss for the incident was $1,560, which included the cost Read More

Judith K. Nakamura Sworn In As Chief Justice Of New Mexico Supreme Court

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New Mexico Chief Justice Nakamura. Courtesy photo
 
SUPREME COURT News:
 
ALBQUERQUE – Justice Judith K. Nakamura was sworn in Wednesday as Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court.
 
Justice Nakamura was elected Chief Justice by her colleagues on the court. She succeeds Justice Charles Daniels, who had served as Chief Justice since 2016.
 
The Chief Justice presides over Supreme Court hearings and conferences, and serves as the administrative authority over personnel, budgetary matters and general operations of all state courts. The Chief Justice also acts as
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Attorney General Balderas Files Suit Against Major Discount Chain Dollar General

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Attorney General Hector Balderas
 
AG News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas announced today that the Office of the Attorney General (“OAG”) filed a lawsuit Monday night against national discount retail chain Dollar General for false advertising, unfair trade practices, and environmental public nuisance for the sale of obsolete motor oil in New Mexico stores from 2010 until February of this year.
 
Dollar General has 87 stores across New Mexico, including in rural and suburban communities, many of which are lower income.
 
“My
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Records Show State Police Investigated Former Deputy Sheriff Dustin Bingham Back In January

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First Judicial District Attorney Marco P. Serna

 
By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post

Documents obtained from the New Mexico Department of Public Safety this morning reveal that Santa Fe County Sheriff Major Gabe Gonzales and New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents were aware of incidences of child solicitation by electronic device involving Dustin Bingham as early as last January.

The alleged incidences occurred in Los Alamos and Albuquerque and involved two female minors who allegedly received inappropriate photos sent through Snapshot.

Bingham was a Santa Read More

FBI: Grant County Methamphetamine Trafficking Ring Member Sentenced To 63 Months In Federal Prison

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FBI News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― Gary Lee Romero, 32, of Santa Clara was sentenced June 1, in Federal Court in Las Cruces to 63 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction.
 
Romero is one of twelve defendants charged with methamphetamine trafficking offenses as the result of a multi-agency investigation targeting a drug trafficking organization led by Daniel Lee Jacquez, 35, of Silver City, that distributed methamphetamine in Grant County, N.M. The investigation concluded in April 2015 with the
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New Mexico Supreme Court Issues New Procedural Rules Governing Pretrial Detention And Release

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NM SUPREME COURT News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Supreme Court has issued comprehensive procedural rules governing pretrial detention and release in all criminal cases.

The rules are the result of more than two years of study and recommendations by the Court’s Ad Hoc Pretrial Release Committee, chaired by former University of New Mexico Law School ean Leo Romero, and consisting of a broad range of interests, including judges, legislators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, detention officials, and commercial bail industry representatives, as well as input from other local and national Read More

State Auditor Tim Keller On Retirement Of UNM Athletic Director Paul Krebs; Ongoing Special Audit

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UNM Athletics Department Director Paul Krebs

From the Office of the State Auditor:

SANTA FE – State Auditor Tim Keller released the following statement today regarding the retirement of UNM Athletics Department Director Paul Krebs.

“Mr. Krebs decision to resign doesn’t change the need for a transparent accounting of the activities at the athletics department. The public still deserves some sunshine on what’s going on at our state’s flagship sports program and our special audit will continue as planned. We need to get to the bottom of questions that have been raised regarding expenses, compensation Read More

Judge Dismisses Coyne Lawsuit Filed Against LANS

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By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post

A suit filed by former Los Alamos Laboratory employee Suzanne D. Coyne and her husband, Robert J. Coyne in 2014 against Los Alamos National Security, LLC, and three of Coyne’s co-workers, Nicholas Degidio, Gail McGuire and Jackie Little has been dismissed with prejudice.

The ruling was handed down May 1 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven C. Yarborough and followed a recommendation filed in March by Chief Magistrate Judge Karen B. Molzen.

Coyne’s suit alleged wrongful treatment by LANS including breach of contract, retaliation, intentional infliction Read More

Two Men Arrested In Quemazon Home Burglary

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By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post

When two men were arrested in Santa Fe in March. They were in a stolen vehicle containing items from a residential burglary, which had taken place just days earlier at a Quemazon home in Los Alamos.

Richard Borrego and Brandon Gonzales were both arrested on charges of residential burglary, larceny over $20,000 and conspiracy to commit residential burglary after Los Alamos Police Department officers interviewed them March 23 at the Santa Fe County Detention Center.

When LAPD Det. Ryan Wolking arrived at the residence, he was advised by Officers Andrew Goldie Read More

Espanola Man Charged For Crimes At Smith’s

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Jimmy Romero

By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post

A visit to Smith’s Marketplace May 25 ended in five criminal charges against an Espanola man. Jimmy Romero, 35, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, falsely obtaining food and assault.

Los Alamos Police Cpl. Gabriel Nieto responded to a call from Smith’s loss prevention personnel regarding a shoplifting incident in progress.

On arrival, he was notified by LAPD Dispatch that Romero was running towards the canyon on the south side of the store. Nieto stopped Romero and had him Read More