Courts

Governor Issues Statement On Arrest Of Suspect In Shootings At Homes Of New Mexico Elected Officials

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From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement today following the arrest of former Republican state house candidate Solomon Peña on allegations related to shootings at the homes of multiple local elected officials:
“I commend the Albuquerque Police Department, State Police and the District Attorney’s Office for a successful partnership to apprehend the suspected perpetrator.
“There is no place in our society or our democracy for violence against any elected official or their families, and I trust the justice system will hold those responsible
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New Mexico Supreme Court Finds Double Jeopardy Violation In Multiple Convictions For Farmington Business Break-In

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — A San Juan County man’s convictions for breaking and entering and burglary of a Farmington business violated the constitutional protection against double jeopardy, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

In a unanimous opinion, the Court ordered the district court in San Juan County to vacate one of Franklin Begaye’s convictions and resentence him. He was originally sentenced to 16 years in prison for the 2017 break-in. His sentence was enhanced because he had prior felony convictions.

“We conclude that Defendant’s right to be free from double jeopardy was violated Read More

New Mexico State Police Make Arrest In Pecos Shooting

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Chris Roybal

NMSP News:

PECOS – A suspect is in custody after an altercation resulted in shots being fired into a vehicle.

The investigation began around 6:54 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, when New Mexico State Police (NMSP) officers were called to the Dollar General Store in Pecos for reports of shots fired.

Officers learned that Chris Roybal was walking out of Dollar General when he observed an adult male sitting in the passenger seat of a parked vehicle.

Roybal retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and walked back to the vehicle where the victim was sitting and fired one round from a pistol toward the victim. Read More

FBI: Shiprock Woman Sentenced To Five Years & 10 Months In Prison For Assault In Indian Country

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Faith Nicholle Sullivan was sentenced Jan. 9 to five years and 10 months in prison.

Sullivan, 28, of Shiprock, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty July 12 to assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country.

June 8, 2021, Navajo Police responded to a report of a fight involving Sullivan at her residence in Shiprock on the Navajo Nation. As one of the responding officers was speaking with Sullivan outside the residence, Sullivan, who was intoxicated, pulled Read More

Max De Azevedo Named General Counsel For New Mexico Department Of Cultural Affairs

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Max De Azevedo

NMDCA News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) announce that Max De Azevedo has been named General Counsel for the Department.

De Azevedo succeeds Peter Ives, who retired Dec. 31, 2022 after more than a decade of public service in city and state government in Santa Fe.

“Please join us in wishing a fond farewell and hearty thank you to Peter for his outstanding service to the department as General Counsel,” NMDCA Cabinet Secretary Debra Garcia y Griego said. “While we will all miss Peter’s positive outlook, infectious laugh, and diligent legal analysis,

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FBI: PMMCO Founder Arraigned In District Of New Mexico On 27-Count Mail And Wire Fraud Indictment

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that John Lopez was arraigned on a 27-count indictment charging him with 16 counts of wire fraud and 11 counts of mail fraud.

Lopez, 71, of Flagstaff, Ariz., will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

A federal grand jury indicted Lopez Dec. 20, 2022. According to the indictment and other court records, Lopez was the founder and president of Personal Money Management Read More

Fbi: Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty To Cyberstalking, Child Pornography Offenses – Faces Up To 50 Years

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FBI News: 

ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Zachary Dosch pleaded guilty Dec. 20, 2022, to cyberstalking, receipt of child pornography, and distribution of child pornography.

Dosch, 23, of Albuquerque, will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

According to court records, on Nov. 30, 2019, a Snapchat user reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that the user had received threats through Snapchat, and that a friend had received possible child sexual

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Governor Appoints Sam Bregman As Second Judicial DA

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Sam Bregman

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Tuesday announced the appointment of Albuquerque litigator and former prosecutor Sam Bregman as Second Judicial District Attorney.

Bregman will begin in the position immediately. He will fill a vacancy created by former Second Judicial District Attorney Raúl Torrez’s election as Attorney General.

Bregman is an experienced litigator with nearly three decades of trial experience. He previously served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Second Judicial District, as well as Deputy State Auditor for New Mexico. He has most Read More

Governor Appoints Quentin Ray Ninth Judicial DA

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Ninth Judicial District Attorney Quentin Ray

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced the appointment of Quentin Ray as Ninth Judicial District Attorney.

The district includes Curry and Roosevelt counties.

Ray will begin in the position Dec. 31, 2022. He will fill a vacancy created when the current district attorney did not register for re-election to the position.

Ray currently serves as Deputy District Attorney for the Ninth Judicial District, supervising and managing the Portales branch of the office and prosecuting criminal cases. Ray grew up in Grady, N.M., Read More

District Attorney Raúl Torrez Recaps Activities In 2022

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District Attornery Raúl Torrez

From the Office of District Attorney Raúl Torrez:

Below is a recap of activities during 2022 from District Attorney Raúl Torrez and his team.

December 2022 Content:

Sentencings & Convictions

            • Convicted: Stephen Paschall

In the Community

            • International Volunteer Day;
            • Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Luncheon;
            • New Mexico Chamber of Commerce Fireside Chat;
            • Guns to Gardens Gun Buyback;
            • Ciudad de Gracia Christmas Store.

SENTENCINGS & CONVICTIONS:

Convicted: Stephen Paschall. Dec. 16, a jury found Paschall guilty of first degree Read More