Courts

FBI: Naschitti Man Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter In Indian Country

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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 Donavan Henry made an initial appearance in federal court Nov. 8 facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country. Henry, 39, of Naschitti, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, will remain on conditions of release pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for Nov. 14.

According to a criminal complaint, Nov. 2, Henry allegedly was driving east on Route 134 in Sheep Read More

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Appoints Shonetta Estrada To Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Wednesday announced the appointment of Shonetta Estrada to fill a judicial vacancy on the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.

Estrada currently serves as a senior trial attorney in the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting serious violent felony crimes, including homicides.

She previously worked for the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General, and the Law Offices of the Public Defender. Estrada is a graduate of both the University of New Mexico and the UNM Read More

FBI: Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison For Federal Drug Trafficking, Firearms Offenses

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Gabriel “Karma” Blea was sentenced Nov. 8 to a term of 15 years in prison.

Blea, 25, of Albuquerque, pleaded guilty July 13 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, and possessing a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

In May of 2021, Blea set up a deal to trade approximately half a pound of methamphetamine for five firearms. Unbeknownst to Blea at the time, the other parties Read More

New Mexico State Ethics Commission Files Lawsuit Against ‘Working Families Organization, Inc.’

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SEC News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The State Ethics Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against the Working Families Organization, Inc.’ (“WFO”) Nov. 2 to enforce the disclosure provisions of the Campaign Reporting Act.

As alleged in the complaint, WFO spent thousands of dollars on text message advertising campaigns seeking to influence the outcome of a New Mexico ballot question regarding the State’s Permanent School Fund.

The text message advertisements lacked required disclosures as to the identity of the persons who paid for and authorized the advertisements, and WFO refused to comply with the Read More

New Mexico Attorney General Balderas Convenes Rio Arriba Opiate Working Group To Attack Addiction

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Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ESPAÑOLA — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas held a town hall-style discussion and invited elected officials, Tribal leaders, treatment disorder providers, those in recovery, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, educators, budget professionals, nonprofits and top community leaders in Española.

The group came together and selected diverse leaders to develop a regional prevention and intervention treatment plan by Dec. 1, 2022.

The group discussion focused on issues in the hard-hit community related to the opioid crisis, Read More

Access To Civil Legal Resources Improved Through Judicial Partnership With New Mexico State Library

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AOC News:

SANTA FE — Libraries are helping to connect New Mexicans with resources on civil legal matters through a partnership between the State Library and the Commission on Access to Justice.

The State Library’s website offers information about civil legal topics and programs that provide legal services to low-and-moderate income people without an attorney.

Notices are sent to libraries across New Mexico about online community legal webinars, such as one in July to help people seeking wildfire assistance and another in September on services for individuals with disabilities.

“Libraries Read More

FBI: Justice Department Announces Takedown Of Nationwide Catalytic Converter Theft Ring

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FBI News:

Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners from across the United States executed a nationwide, coordinated takedown today of leaders and associates of a national network of thieves, dealers, and processors for their roles in conspiracies involving stolen catalytic converters sold to a metal refinery for tens of millions of dollars.

Arrests, searches, and seizures took place in California, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, and Virginia. In total, 21 individuals in five states have been arrested and/or charged for their roles Read More

FBI: Mexican National Sentenced To Four Years, Nine Months In Prison For Carjacking

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Gael Rodriguez was sentenced Nov. 1 to four years and nine months in prison for carjacking. Rodriguez, 20, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty March 23.

Jan. 16, Rodriguez approached an elderly victim in northwest Albuquerque outside her apartment complex and asked her for a cigarette. The victim responded that she had no cigarettes and Rodriguez then demanded her purse and the keys for her vehicle. When the victim resisted, Rodriguez stabbed her hand with a knife, causing Read More

FBI: Shiprock Woman Maylene John Charged With Murdering Her Child In Indian Country

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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 that Maylene John made an initial appearance in federal court on a criminal complaint charging her with murder in Indian Country.

John, 32, of Shiprock and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, will remain in custody pending a preliminary and detention hearing scheduled for Oct. 31.

As alleged in the complaint, in the early morning hours of Oct. 24, John stabbed her child in the chest. Another family Read More