Courts

FBI: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures 25-Year Sentence For Albuquerque Man Following Violent Crime Spree

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a violent crime spree that began with a double murder, after being convicted at trial of two counts of attempted carjacking, one count of carjacking, and the possession and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

At trial, the court heard evidence that Sept. 7, 2020, Dakota Briscoe, 38, used a tan handgun to commit a series of violent acts, including the double homicide of two victims whose bodies were discovered in a burning vehicle in the South Valley. Although the firearm was never recovered Read More

Governor Announces Judicial Appointment Of Crystal Lees

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Thursday the appointment of Crystal Lees as a Second Judicial District Court judge. 

Lees’ appointment follows the retirement of Judge Debra Ramirez. 

Since 2018, Lees has served the state of New Mexico as a domestic relations hearing officer for the Second Judicial District Court, presiding over hearings in child custody, divorce and child support matters.

A graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law, Lees was admitted to the New Mexico Bar in 2012.

Lees’ appointment commences Jan. 18, 2025. Read More

FBI: U.S. Attorney’s Office Charges Dulce Man With Domestic Violence For Assault By Strangulation

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The FBI Albuquerque announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged a Dulce man with domestic violence. He is facing federal charges for assault by strangulation after the victim was hospitalized with serious injuries.

According to court documents, Feb. 19, 2024, officers responded to a fight on Veneno Street in Dulce. There they encounter Chalmers Dedios, 32, and the victim. Officers determined that the victim was in distress, showing signs of fear and wearing heavy clothing despite warm weather.

After Dedios was arrested on unrelated charges, the victim Read More

State Supreme Court Rejects Challenges By Utilities To Community Solar Program Rules

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — The state Supreme Court issued an opinion upholding regulations for a program allowing electric utility customers to buy power from community solar projects.

In a unanimous opinion, the Court rejected arguments by Southwestern Public Service Company, Public Service Company of New Mexico and El Paso Electric Company that a rule adopted by the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) in 2022 violated the state’s Community Solar Act.

“We hold that the Utilities, in their various challenges, failed to meet their burden in demonstrating that the Rule is unreasonable or unlawful Read More

Sarah Davenport Appointed To Fill United States District Court Judicial Vacancy In District Of New Mexico

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Sarah Davenport, District of New Mexico

NMDC News:

ALBUQUERQUE — With the United States Senate recently voting to confirm the Presidential nomination of Sarah Davenport to be a United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico, President Joe Biden signed the commission formally appointing Davenport to the position of United States District Judge.

Senior U.S. District Judge Robert C. Brack administered the oath of office to Davenport at 3:30 p.m., MST, Jan. 13, 2025, in Las Cruces thereby allowing her to become the 27th U.S. District Judge in New Mexico since statehood in 1912.

Las Read More

Warning: Fraudulent Phone Calls, Physical Mail, Emails Regarding Contempt Orders And Arrest Warrants Surface In District Of New Mexico

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District of New Mexico News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The United States District Court for the District of New Mexico has recently been notified of individuals both in New Mexico and outside of New Mexico being targeted with a variety of phone, mail and email scams.

The targets may be contacted by phone or email by an individual claiming to be a member of court staff, a local law enforcement agent, or an investigator. Alternatively, the individual may receive a copy of a fraudulent Arrest Warrant or Order of Arrest, including a fraudulent United States Postal Service receipt confirming delivery of various Read More

Honorable Kenneth J. Gonzales Elevated To Chief Judge Of U.S. District Court For District Of New Mexico

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Chief Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales

U.S. District Court News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The United States District Court for the District of New Mexico announces the elevation of Honorable Kenneth J. Gonzales to Chief Judge effective Jan. 10, 2025, following Honorable William P. Johnson’s transition to senior status.

Judge Gonzales grew up in Nambe and graduated from Pojoaque High School; he received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico in 1988 and then earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1994.

Following law school, Judge Gonzales served as a Judicial Read More

Public Notice: Council To Hold Closed Session Jan. 14

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COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Council will hold a Closed Session4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Fire Station 3 in White Rock.

The purpose of the closed session is to discuss threatened or pending litigation: The Incorporated County of Los Alamos v. United States
Environmental Protection Agency, Case No.: 20-9543, United States
Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit. Council is scheduled to also discuss the purchase, acquisition or disposal of real property.

Find the complete agenda packet for this closed session here. Read More

Supreme Court Of New Mexico Day Today Commemorates Establishment Of The State’s Highest Court In 1912

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Courtesy/ NM Supreme Court

Of New Mexico Supreme Court News:

SANTA FE – New Mexico’s highest court today proclaims “Supreme Court of New Mexico Day” on Jan. 10 of each year.

The proclamation commemorates the day on which state Supreme Court justices first took their oaths of office in 1912, and the Territorial Supreme Court went out of existence. New Mexico became the 47th state on Jan. 6, 1912.

“The state Supreme Court protects the constitutional rights of all New Mexicans by serving as the final authority in interpreting and deciding matters of state law. Its counterparts in other states Read More

New Mexicio Supreme Court Rules Local Governments Cannot Restrict Abortion Services

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New Mexico Supreme Court chairs. Courtesy photo

NMSC News:

SANTA FE — State law precludes municipalities and counties in New Mexico from restricting abortion or regulating abortion clinics and providers, the New Mexico Supreme Court (NMSC) ruled today, Jan. 9.

The Court’s unanimous opinion invalidates local ordinances by Lea and Roosevelt counties and the cities of Hobbs and Clovis that attempted to restrict access to abortion services. The Court issued an order – a writ of mandamus – prohibiting the local governments from enforcing the ordinances. 

“Our Legislature granted to counties Read More