Courts

U.S. Attorney’s Office And FBI Announce Second-Degree Murder Charges In Taos County Stabbing Case

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Penasco man has been charged by federal prosecutors with second-degree murder in connection with a fatal stabbing in Taos County in 2022, with the case being prosecuted under a Department of Justice initiative focused on Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP).

Byron Sanchez, 47, an enrolled member of the Picuris Pueblo, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

The indictment alleges that on or about Dec. 25, 2022, Sanchez killed John Doe with malice aforethought by stabbing Doe with a sharp Read More

DA Carmack-Altwies Addresses Case Of Murder Suspect Zachary Babitz Arrested In Connection With Killing Of 83-Year-Old Man In Santa Fe

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Murder suspect Zachary Babitz

By District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies
1st Judicial District

On Saturday evening, Las Cruces police officers arrested homicide suspect Zachary Babitz in connection with August 6th’s senseless killing of 83-year-old Gordon Wilson. He is charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and felon in possession of a firearm.

Babitz, 38, has an extensive criminal history spanning four different states, and was released from prison in March.

The FJDA (1st Judicial District) would like to thank the Las Cruces Police Department for their diligent work apprehending Read More

Scouts Gather At New Mexico Supreme Court Building To Complete Requirements For Citizenship Merit Badges

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New Mexico Supreme Court Building in Santa Fe. Courtesy/NMSC

NMSC News:

SANTA FE — Chief Justice David K. Thomson spoke Saturday to Scouts meeting at the Supreme Court Building in Santa Fe to complete requirements for their citizenship merit badges.

More than 60 Scouts from across New Mexico were expected to attend the event, which offered classes taught by trained adult scout leaders on four citizenship merit badges:

“The Supreme Court welcomes the opportunity to host this civic educational event that allows young Read More

FBI: Albuquerque Woman Admits Guilt In Multi-Year Cyberstalking And Identity Theft Scheme

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Albuquerque woman pleaded guilty in federal court to a series of crimes involving cyberstalking, computer intrusion and false reporting to law enforcement that spanned several years.

According to court documents, from March 2016 to December 2019, Kalani S. Uehara, 26, engaged in a campaign of harassment and intimidation against multiple victims.

Uehara assumed the identities of various individuals to send numerous threatening and harassing electronic communications to individuals, schools and law firms. Uehara threatened to kill, harm, or extort her victims, Read More

FBI: U.S. Attorney Secures 19 Year Sentence For Man Committing Attempted Murder Of Border Patrol Agent During Routine Immigration Stop In New Mexico

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An El Paso man was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for attempting to murder a U.S. Border Patrol agent during a routine immigration stop in New Mexico.

According to court documents, Jan. 5, 2023, Roberto Esquivel, 25, was pulled over by a Border Patrol agent on a rural section of New Mexico Highway 146 for a routine immigration inspection. When the agent approached the vehicle, he observed individuals inside whom he suspected of being undocumented immigrants. The agent asked Esquivel to exit the vehicle. Instead, Esquivel produced a firearm and shot the agent, Read More

Rep. Chandler: Let’s Come Together And Get Back To Work

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By State Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos)

Recently, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham hosted a series of town hall meetings throughout our state to discuss community safety and answer questions from the public. Much of what was said in these town halls echoed what we heard in a series of special meetings of the legislature’s Courts, Corrections and Justice (CCJ) committee earlier this year.

As chair of the CCJ committee, I convened six additional public committee meetings to discuss the Governor’s proposed legislation in preparation for the special session. We brought in law enforcement Read More

Heinrich, Luján Secure Confirmation Of Former Counterintelligence Supervisory Special Agent David O. Barnett, Jr. As U.S. Marshal For District Of New Mexico

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U.S. Senate News:

          • Top law enforcement official will help bring dangerous criminals to justice and join New Mexico’s fight against deadly drugs, illegal firearms and violent crime across the state and on Tribal lands

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced today that they have successfully secured the confirmation of David O. Barnett, Jr. for U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico.

“David Barnett brings decades of experience to his new position, joining New Mexico’s federal law enforcement leadership and stepping into this role Read More

Union Files Grievances At 13 New Mexico State Agencies

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From Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7076:

Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7076 called for action from the New Mexico State Government to address pay inequities hurting its most experienced employees late last week.

The State’s failure to consider years of experience and education when determining pay causes workers salaries to fall behind the longer they work in state services. An analysis of available employment data found that nearly 1,000 State employees with five or more years of service were paid less than newly hired employees in the same position. Shortchanging Read More

U.S. Attorney & FBI Charge Rio Rancho Woman With Federal Firearms Offenses Including Possession Of Loaded Colt .38

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Rio Rancho woman was charged by criminal complaint for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition while using controlled substances.

Courtney Leigh Sparks, 39, appeared before a federal judge on July 23, 2024, and will be placed on conditions of release in the third-party custody of a halfway house pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to court documents, on March 15, 2024, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) arrested Sparks after she collided into an Albuquerque Fire and Rescue fire truck. Sparks appeared intoxicated and was arrested Read More

FBI: U.S. Attorney Secures 10 Year And One Day Sentence In Federal Prison For Zuni Man Following Violent Crime Spree

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Zuni man was sentenced to 10 years and one day in federal prison for a violent crime spree that included shooting a stranger during a dispute over face masks and brutally assaulting his own cousin in separate incidents in early 2021.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, Feb. 18, 2021, Michael Shebala, 37, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, shot a man in the chest at the Route 66 Travel Center on Laguna Pueblo after an argument over face mask requirements. The victim, who was traveling from Arizona to Arkansas, was hospitalized for a Read More