Courts

FBI: Albuquerque Man Charged With Aiming Laser At Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter And Striking Cockpit Over A Dozen Times

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Still image from the recording from inside the helicopter at the time of the drone strike. If convicted, Jorge Pinon Armendariz faces up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. Courtesy/FBI

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man is facing federal charges after allegedly aiming the beam of a laser pointer at a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and striking the cockpit over a dozen times.

According to public court documents, on Oct. 7, 2025, Jorge Pinon Armendariz, 47, directed a green laser at the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Metro 1 helicopter while it was assisting Read More

Law Day 2026: The Rule Of Law And The Ongoing Pursuit Of The American Dream

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Judge Elizabeth Allen

By Judge Elizabeth Allen
Los Alamos Municipal Court
and
Judge Catherine Taylor
Los Alamos Magistrate Court

Law Day 2026: The Rule Of Law And The Ongoing Pursuit Of The American Dream

Each year on May 1, Law Day invites us to reflect not only on the ideals of our legal system, but also on the work still left to do. This year’s theme, “The Rule of Law and the American Dream,” reminds us that the promise of freedom, opportunity, and equal justice has meaning only when the law is applied fairly and consistently to everyone.

Judge Catherine Taylor

We know that many people look at the world Read More

New Mexico Residents Can Get Free Legal Answers During Ask-A-Lawyer Call-In Program May 2

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SBNW News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The State Bar of New Mexico Young Lawyers Division will be hosting its annual Ask-a-Lawyer Call-In Program on Saturday, May 2 telephonically from 9 a.m. to noon (MT). During the program, New Mexico residents can get their legal questions answered for free or receive a referral by calling 1.800.876.6227 and speaking with an attorney or State Bar of New Mexico representative.

Legal topics and areas of practice may include employment law, divorce, child support, landlord/tenant issues, personal injury, estate planning, real estate and much more. If you or someone you Read More

New Mexico Public Defenders Join National Day Of Alarm Over Heavy Workloads, Inadequate Funding

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LOPD News:

New Mexico’s public defenders and supporters are joining a nationwide day of solidarity to help raise the alarm about public defense sustainability. Severe and chronic underfunding combined with overwhelming caseloads are pushing public defense to the breaking point and endangering the Sixth Amendment right to counsel.

Participants in the awareness campaign plan to wear black on Thursday and lead conversations online and in their communities. The nationwide effort follows the recent contempt sanction against San Francisco Chief Public Defender Mano Raju. He was fined $26,000 Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court’s Unanimous Decision Places Republican Rep. Rebecca Dow Back On Ballot

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Rep. Rebecca Dow, R–Doña Ana, Sierra & Socorro

RPNW News:

SANTA FE –  The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) issued the following announcement this morning on the New Mexico Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Republican candidate Rep. Rebecca Dow’s ballot access case:

“The New Mexico Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to place Rebecca Dow back on the ballot is a victory for fairness, election integrity, and the rule of law.” RPNM Chairwoman Amy Barela said. “After the partisan ruling from the Doña Ana County judge, the Supreme Court recognized the truth: the system is flawed, and Read More

FBI: Felon Charged In Alleged Plot To Help Inmate Escape

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Screenshots of Crisantos ‘Ventex’ Garcia taken from a music video titled ‘Streets’. Courtesy/FBI

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Albuquerque man has been charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses following an FBI investigation into an alleged plan to arm an inmate for an escape from custody.

According to court documents, on Feb. 13, 2025, law enforcement agents executed search warrants at three residences in northwest Albuquerque associated with Crisantos “Ventex” Garcia, 34, a suspected West Side Locos gang member and convicted felon. Garcia allegedly attempted to flee Read More

Luján, Warren, Van Hollen, Colleagues Open New Investigation Into Secretary Of Defense’s Role In Dismantling Military’s Civilian Harm Prevention Guard Rails

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U.S. SENATE News:

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and eight colleagues opened a new investigation into Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s role in weakening civilian harm prevention programs and the catastrophic civilian impacts of President Trump’s war in Iran.

“The high human toll of this war reflects the administration’s broader disregard for the strategic, legal, and moral imperative to minimize civilian harm,” wrote the lawmakers. “We call on the administration to immediately end the war in Iran Read More

FBI: Woman Sentenced For Assault On Motorcyclist

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Farmington woman was sentenced to five years of probation for intentionally causing a motorcyclist to crash following an argument

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, Sept. 2, 2024, Tenille Quintawna Peshlakai, 33, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, argued with the victim at a gas station before driving away. Peshlakai then turned around, caught up to the victim, and swerved her vehicle to block his path. This forced the victim to lay down his motorcycle and crash into Peshlakai’s vehicle. Peshlakai fled the scene before law enforcement Read More

Luján, Cantwell, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation To Restore FTC Authority To Return Billions To Consumers

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) reintroduced legislation to restore the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) authority to return money to consumers victimized by illegal scams, fraud and other unfair practices.

In April 2021, the Supreme Court slashed the FTC’s “Section 13(b)” Read More

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján Introduces Legislative Package To Strengthen Accountability In Federal Law Enforcement

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced a legislative package of three bills aimed at restoring oversight, enforcement standards, and ensuring consequences for misconduct across President Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ).

The introduction of these bills follows growing concerns regarding weakened hiring standards, reduced training, and a concerning lack of accountability within federal law enforcement.

“Within federal law enforcement, strong hiring standards, proper oversight, and real accountability are vital—and Read More