Courts

New Mexico PFAS Claim Filed As Federal Bellwether Case

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NMED News:

CHARLESTON, S.C. — A federal judge last week opened the door to New Mexico’s pursuit of its ongoing civil case against Cannon Air Force Base for environmental and public health damage near Clovis.

The judge’s statements pave the way for New Mexico’s July 2024 lawsuit to serve as a national bellwether case for PFAS claims under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, commonly referred to as the federal Superfund law.

With this filing, New Mexico moves to the front of the line among states seeking compensation for damages to their natural resources Read More

FBI: Mescalero Man Faces 15 Years For Abusing Minor

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man pleaded guilty to the federal charge of sexual abuse of a minor.

According to court records, on Feb. 15, 2025, John Albert Carrillo, Jr., 36, a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, used force to commit a sexual act with a minor victim.

Carrillo pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor and faces up to 15 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Carrillo will be required to register as a sex offender and must serve a term of supervised release not less than five years and up to life.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Affirms Convictions In Shooting Death Of Albuquerque Teenager

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NMSC News:

The state Supreme Court today affirmed the convictions of Izaiah Garcia for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Sean Markey in 2019 outside a homecoming party in Albuquerque. Garcia was convicted of first-degree depraved mind murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Click here to read the Court’s nonprecedential decision in State v. Garcia, S-1-SC-39925. Read More

Enterprise Bank & Trust Support Aids CASA First In It’s Advocacy For Children

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CASA First Executive Director Annie Rasquin, LISW, at her offices Tuesday at 466 W. San Francisco St. in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
Sponsored Content

SANTA FE—Entering the offices of CASA First in Santa Fe is like coming home after a long trip – calm and comforting. That soothing feeling permeates the space, including a large area called the “Calm and Comfort Room”, designated for gatherings with children and families. Soft stuffed animals containing weights provide traumatized children with a secure Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Clarifies Authority Of Lower Courts To Issue Search Warrants After Criminal Proceedings Begin In District Court

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New Mexico Supreme Court News:

SANTA FE – Magistrate and metropolitan courts can issue a search warrant in a criminal prosecution after proceedings in the case have started in a district court, New Mexico’s highest court ruled today.

“Even though an inferior court may issue a search warrant after formal criminal proceedings are initiated in the district court, we additionally hold that a district court may quash the warrant pursuant to its inherent power to ensure the orderly and efficient administration of those proceedings,” the Court wrote in a unanimous opinion by Justice Michael E. Vigil. Read More

New Mexico Joins Multistate Settlement With Financial Firms For Overcharging Customers

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NMRLD News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Securities Division announced today that is has joined a multistate settlement with Edward Jones, LPL Financial, RBC, Stifel, and TD Ameritrade following an investigation into unreasonable commissions being charged on small-dollar transactions.

The five firms have agreed to provide affected customers with restitution plus six percent interest from the date of the customer’s transaction through the date of the settlement.

The five-year investigation was led by a working group of state securities regulators in Alabama, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, Read More

NMED, NMDOJ File New Lawsuit Against Air Force

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NMED/DOJ News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department and New Mexico Department of Justice today filed a new lawsuit ordering the U.S. Department of the Air Force to clean up its toxic PFAS contamination at Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis.

Earlier this year, the New Mexico Legislature delivered House Bill 140 to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who promptly signed it into law. The new lawsuit relies on existing and expanded authority under the new law.

“After years of contesting responsibility, today’s lawsuit puts every one of the Air Force’s excuses to rest,” Environment Department Read More

FBI: Arizona Woman Faces Charges For 2023 Incident

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Arizona woman is facing federal charges for allegedly assaulting two individuals.

According to court documents, on December 30, 2023, Shaina Shorty, 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, assaulted Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 and the assaults resulted in serious bodily injury.

Shorty is charged with two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, Shorty faces up to eight years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Read More

Governor Announces Judicial Appointment Of Anastasia Martin To First Judicial District Court

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The Honorable Anastasia Martin

STATE News:

SANTA FE — On June 17, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the appointment of Anastasia Martin to fill a vacancy on the First Judicial District Court. 

Martin will replace the Honorable Mary Marlowe Sommer, who retired from the First Judicial District Court on May 31. 

Martin currently serves as General Counsel to the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department. Before her time with ALTSD, Martin acquired extensive experience serving Rio Arriba County as Chief Deputy District Attorney in the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office Read More

FBI News: Woman Gets 33 Months For 2023 DUI Crash

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The condition of Jazmyne Deschinny’s vehicle following her crash in 2023 in which her blood alcohol content was measured at more than three times the legal limit. Courtesy/FBI

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Shiprock woman was sentenced to 33 months in prison for driving under the influence and causing a multi-passenger collision in 2023.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on April 10, 2023, Jazmyne Deschinny, 22, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, drove a vehicle with eight occupants, including five children, while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Read More