Courts

NMSP Arrest Dangerous, Wanted Felon In Rio Arriba County

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NMSP News:

VELARDE — The New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Crime Suppression Bureau on Dec. 19, 2024, gathered intelligence on the whereabouts of 43-year-old Daniel Romero, who was wanted for multiple violent felony warrants.

NMSP Crime Suppression Bureau and Uniform Bureau Officers arrived at a residence on 1040 Private Drive to apprehend Romero.

With the assistance of the NMSP Tactical Team, Romero exited the residence and was taken into custody without incident.

He was booked into the Rio Arriba County Detention Center on multiple warrants stemming from the following charges along with Read More

New Mexico State Police Probe Quadruple Homicide In Belen

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NMSP News:

BELEN – On Dec. 14, 2024, the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate a quadruple homicide that occurred at a residence on Camino Escondido in Belen.

Agents learned that at around 3:30 a.m., the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Diego Leyva,16, who told the dispatcher he had killed his family.

When deputies arrived, Diego walked out of the residence with his hands in the air and was extremely intoxicated. He was taken into custody without incident.

Deputies entered the residence to find four deceased individuals. Read More

FJDA: Guilty Verdict Reached In State v. Jeannine Jaramillo 

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From the 1st Judicial District Attorney’s Office:

SANTA FE —Thursday, a jury found Jeannine Jaramillo guilty on two counts of first-degree murder in the March 2, 2022, deaths of Santa Fe Police Ofc. Robert Duran and retired Las Vegas Firefighter Frank Lovato. Other convictions include great bodily injury by vehicle, aggravated fleeing, possession of a stolen vehicle, and making a false report. The defendant faces up to two life sentences.

The 1st Judicial District Attorney’s Office (FJDA) extends its gratitude to all the law enforcement officers and civilians who testified—each played Read More

U.S. Attorney’s Office And FBI Announce Charges In Domestic Violence Case Of Assault Of A Dating Partner

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Brimhall, New Mexico man has been charged with two felony crimes—Assault of a dating partner by strangling and Assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

Victor Badonie, 32, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge and was released with conditions to include home detention and GPS monitoring. Trial in this case has not been scheduled.

According to the indictment, on March 6, 2024, Badonie allegedly assaulted Jane Doe by strangling, suffocating, and attempting to strangle and suffocate her. Badonie also struck Doe, which resulted Read More

Elizabeth Allen And Matt Jackson Join Los Alamos Community Foundation Board Of Directors

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LACF News:

The Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF) announces two new members to its Board of Directors: Elizabeth Allen and Matt Jackson.

“With the increase in recent donor designated funding from larger foundations, this additional expertise will help keep us in step with the responsibilities of this growth,” Board Chair Linda Daily said. “Elizabeth and Matt will be valuable assets to our foundation as we move forward.”

LACF Executive Director Liz Martineau said she is grateful to have the experience of these two community leaders.

“Elizabeth and Matt will help us continue our journey Read More

New Mexico Environment Dept. Fines Natural Gas Firm Targa Northern Delaware $47.8 Million For Harmful Emissions

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NMED General Counsel Zachary Ogaz

NMED News:

          • Company directed to cease polluting and pay civil penalty

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) initiated an enforcement action Friday, Dec. 6, against Targa Northern Delaware, LLC, a subsidiary of Houston, Texas-based natural gas firm Targa Resources Corp., for emission releases far greater than permitted limits at its Red Hills Gas Processing Plant near Jal in Lea County.

The enforcement action cites Targa for alleged violations of state rules including significant excess emissions of regulated air pollutants, late reporting, Read More

FOG Taps Christine Barber For Executive Director

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Christine Barber

ALBUQUERQUE – The Board of Directors of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG) has named Christine Barber as the new executive director of the organization.

Barber’s past employment includes work as executive director of two non-profit organizations focused on providing services to marginalized individuals and work as a journalist at the Gallup Independent, Santa Fe New Mexican and Albuquerque Journal. She is also a published and award-winning author.

“Transparency and the public’s right to know are coming under attack from numerous fronts,” FOG President Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Rejects Challenge To Regulator’s Energy Planning Requirements For Electric Utilities

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New Mexico Supreme Court News:

SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court today upheld the validity of a regulatory rule expanding the plans that electric utilities must prepare for meeting the current and future energy needs of their customers.

In a unanimous decision, the Court rejected a challenge by three utilities – El Paso Electric Company, the Public Service Co. of New Mexico and Southwestern Public Service Company – to rules that revised requirements for Integrated Resource Plans (IRP), which must be submitted to the state Public Regulation Commission (PRC). The amended regulations were Read More

New Mexico State Police Part Of Officer Involved Shooting Incident In Luna County

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NMSP News:

DEMING — Dec. 1, 2024, the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving NMSP.

Investigations Bureau agents learned that at around 8:15 p.m., the Luna County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 8030 Monte Road SE in Deming for a domestic disturbance call. When deputies arrived on scene, they made contact with John Dwillis, 55, standing near a white dodge ram pickup truck.

At some point during the interaction with deputies, Dwillis discharged at least one round from a firearm and then barricaded inside the Read More

Historic Swearing-In Ceremony Of State Bar Of New Mexico’s 2025 President Aja N. Brooks, Esq. Wednesday Dec. 11

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State Bar News:

SANTA FE — The State Bar of New Mexico (“the State Bar”) has announced the Swearing-In Ceremony of its next President, Aja N. Brooks, Esq., at the New Mexico Supreme Court. Her swearing-in as the State Bar’s 139th President marks a historic moment for the State Bar and the New Mexico legal community, as Brooks will be the first Black President of the State Bar of New Mexico, bringing her background and years of experience in the legal field to a principal role in the State Bar of New Mexico’s leadership.

“Aja Brooks will be an outstanding leader for the State Bar of New Mexico,” remarked Read More