Courts

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man has pleaded guilty in federal court to a single assault charge related to a brutal attack that left his victim with life-threatening injuries.

According to court documents, on Jan. 1, 2024, Tyrell Jordan Benally, 25, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, assaulted Jane Doe at a residence in Shiprock by repeatedly striking her with a closed fist and strangling her until she lost consciousness. The assault caused Jane Doe to suffer serious bodily injury, including life-threatening injuries from the strangulation.

At sentencing, Benally faces up Read More

FBI News:

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the death of Tiffany Deanna Benallie.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office and Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations in New Mexico are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual(s) responsible for the death of Tiffany Deanna Benallie.

At approximately 1 a.m. on May 18, 2024, Benallie was hit by a vehicle on Highway 491, mile marker 95, near Shiprock. The driver of the vehicle Read More

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces man was sentenced to 52 months in prison following his conviction for possessing a pipe bomb and ammunition near a church playground.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on May 31, 2023, Nathan Wallace, 41, was observed in the children’s playground of East Mesa Baptist Church in Las Cruces. Wallace was arrested by the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department after being found in possession of a destructive device and ammunition. Upon questioning, he admitted to possessing a metal pipe containing gunpowder, which was Read More

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Dulce man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison following a trial where evidence revealed that between January 2016 and January 2020, Joel Ruiz, 65, used candy to lure two children under the age of 12 into his trailer on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation, where he sexually assaulted them.

There is no parole in the federal system.

During the trial, Jane Doe 1 testified that Ruiz abused her when she was six or seven years old. The jury also heard from Jane Doe 2, who testified that Ruiz abused her once when she was three or four years old. Both victims described similar Read More

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Church Rock man has pleaded guilty in federal court in federal court to charges related to attack on law enforcement officers on the Navajo Nation.

According to court documents, in the early morning of July 22, 2023, the Navajo Police Department (NPD) received reports of a man identified as Elijah Touchine, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, walking near his residence, shooting a gun and threatening to hurt someone.

Officers from the NPD and New Mexico State Police responded to the area and came under fire from an unknown direction, prompting them to take tactical Read More

NMSP News:

We are pleased to report that Fernando Leon Silva, the suspect involved in the Aug. 19 shooting at a New Mexico State Police (NMSP) officer in Farmington, has been apprehended.

Thanks to the swift and coordinated efforts of the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, and the New Mexico State Police, Silva is now in custody.

We are relieved that no one was injured in this dangerous incident. Thank you to our dedicated officers and all partner agencies involved for their hard work in ensuring the safety of our community. Read More

2nd Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman

DFA News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), in collaboration with District Attorney Offices across the state has successfully completed the first year of the felony warrant enforcement program. This initiative led to the arrest of 1,664 individuals, many of whom are accused of serious crimes such as murder, robbery, rape, assault, etc., and had outstanding felony warrants.

“This program sends a clear message to criminals—if you break the law, we will find you, and we will hold you accountable, no matter how Read More

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Bloomfield woman has been indicted on multiple counts for allegedly placing a child in a dangerous situation earlier this year.

Avondale Johnson, 30, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which has not been scheduled.

According to the indictment, between March 1 and March 14, 2024, Johnson allowed a child under the age of 18 to be placed in a dangerous situation that could seriously harm the child’s health and safety.

If convicted, Johnson faces five years in prison. Read More