Courts

FBI: Shiprock Man Sentenced For Federal Theft

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FBI News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE — Orlando Jay Johnson, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Shiprock, has been sentenced in federal court in Albuquerque to 12 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction on theft occurring in Indian Country.
 
Johnson was arrested Oct. 31, 2014, after officers of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety were called to a fast food restaurant in Shiprock in response to a report that an elderly Navajo man had been robbed of his wallet and money.
 
According to the criminal complaint, Johnson
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FBI: Arizona Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Wire Fraud Charges In New Mexico

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE—Joseph Lawler, 54, of Peoria, Ariz., entered a guilty plea in federal court in Albuquerque to a 12-count superseding indictment charging him with wire fraud offenses.

The guilty plea, which was entered without the benefit of a plea agreement, was announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez and Special Agent in Charge Carol K.O. Lee of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division.

Lawler pled guilty to all 12 counts of a superseding indictment that was filed on June 9, 2015, and alleged that between Aug. 2010 and July 2014, Lawler engaged in an illegal scheme to defraud investors of hundreds

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Felon From Pojoaque Sentenced To Federal Prison For Unlawfully Possessing Ammunition

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE—Nicholas Mondragon, 32, of Pojoaque was sentenced late Thursday afternoon in federal court in Albuquerque to a year and a day in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition.

Mondragon will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.

Mondragon pled guilty July 17, 2014, to a felony information charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition. In entering the guilty plea, Mondragon admitted that Feb. 25, 2014, he purchased a box of ammunition in Las Vegas, N.M. Mondragon made the purchase despite knowing that he was

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján Applauds Supreme Court Decision In Support Of Marriage Equality

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement today on the Supreme Court’s decision in favor of marriage equality.

“With this decision, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed that equality is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution by stating very clearly that everyone deserves equal protection under the law. 

“Marriage equality is matter of civil rights and treating all people who are in a loving and committed relationship fairly. 

“Today is a momentous day for the Read More

Udall On Supreme Court Health Insurance Decision

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Sen. To Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:            

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in King v. Burwell that residents of any state can receive health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

“I welcome the Supreme Court’s decision in King v. Burwell, which preserves the insurance policies of millions of Americans. The Affordable Care Act has enabled tens of thousands of New Mexicans to get health insurance for the first time.

“It’s Read More

Letter To The Editor: Hold Judiciary Accountable

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By Rep. Paul Pacheco 
Albuquerque
 
Since the tragic death of Rio Rancho Police officer Gregg Benner, we’ve heard a lot about judicial accountability, oversight and transparency, all of which are woefully lacking when it comes to keeping violent repeat offenders off our streets.
 
Not long after our community was struck with the news of this travesty, we discovered that the career criminal accused in this crime was facing three indictments but instead was given early release from a possible 13-year prison sentence.
 
The deal that allowed Andrew Romero free represents
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American Federation Of Teachers New Mexico Reacts To 1st District Court Denial Of PED Motion

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AFT News:

Ruling is a Victory for All New Mexico Educators, Parents and Students

ALBUQUERQUE – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement:

“Today’s ruling from Judge Thomson is a victory for all of New Mexico’s educators, parents, students, and our communities. In denying Secretary Skandera and the Public Education Department’s request to dismiss this lawsuit, an explicit acknowledgement was made that this case, in fact, brings a challenge to the PED’s evaluation system which must be heard.

“Judge Thomson made the correct assessment Read More

AG’s Anti-Money Laundering Unit Prosecutes Racketeer And Wins $100,000 In Restitution For Victims

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John Meister booking photo. Courtesy/OAG

OAG News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The Anti-Money Laundering Unit of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has successfully prosecuted John Meister of New Mexico, resulting in $100,000 in restitution to victims.

The OAG Anti-Money Laundering Unit’s criminal investigation proved that Meister devised a scam to mislead two victims into bogus investment schemes while he was working for FedEx in 2013-2014.

Bernalillo County District Court has scheduled sentencing for Aug. 26, 2015 and the OAG can argue for the maximum sentence of seven years of incarceration Read More

Los Alamos Probate Judge Addresses Rotary Club

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At Tuesday’s Rotary Club meeting at the golf course, Los Alamos County Probate Judge Christine Chandler presents a talk on the duties of her postion. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Probate Judge Christine Chandler talks about her work during Tuesday’s Rotary Club meeting. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

NM Hosts National Conference On Court Interpreters

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COURT News:
 
SANTA FE ― Managers of programs providing interpreting services for state courts across the country gathered in New Mexico last week for a national conference.
 
New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara J. Vigil and Artie Pepin, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, officially opened the conference. Supreme Court Justice Edward L. Chávez delivered a keynote address.

Other New Mexico presenters included Paul Kippert, assistant general counsel with the Department of Finance and Administration, and Lisa Dignan and Roger Robb with the Read More