Courts

FBI: Heroin Drug Trafficker Heading To Prison

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Andy Cordova was sentenced Sept. 20 to 10 months in prison. Cordova, 33, of Santa Cruz pleaded guilty March 2 to possession with intent to distribute heroin.

July 5, 2020, Cordova was detained by Ohkay Owingeh Casino and Hotel security personnel on suspicion of possessing or distributing drugs on the premises. Cordova was arrested for drug trafficking after law enforcement executed a search warrant for his hotel room and discovered 16.96 grams of heroin.

Upon his release from Read More

New Mexico Attorney General Joins Multi-State Coalition In Protecting Right To Interstate Travel To Seek Abortions

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Attorney General Hector Balderas

NMAG News:

Amicus brief argues Texas’ laws violate individuals’ constitutional right to interstate travel

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas today joined a multistate coalition of 21 attorneys general, led by California, in submitting an amicus brief in Fund Texas Choice v. Paxton to protect the right of individuals to travel out of Texas to obtain an abortion.

The multistate amicus brief was submitted in support of a motion for preliminary injunction filed by reproductive rights advocates seeking to halt enforcement of several Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Affirms Habitual Offender Enhancement On Defendant For Probation Violation

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AOC News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled Monday that defendants must be “reasonably informed” when a plea agreement for multiple offenses could result in additional prison time if they violate probation at any point throughout their probationary period.

In a split decision, the Court’s majority affirmed a district judge’s decision to lengthen the sentence of Christina Banghart-Portillo because of probation violations after her release from prison in 2016. She was a little over halfway through a three-year probationary period.

The Court’s majority rejected arguments that Read More

New Mexico JPEC Recommends Retaining 1 Supreme Court Justice And 7 Metro Court Judges In 2022 General Election

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JPEC News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission (JPEC) has recommended that voters retain one Supreme Court Justice and seven Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judges standing for retention on the 2022 general election ballot.

Under state law, these judges must receive at least 57 percent voter approval to remain on the bench.

“The last two years have been very challenging for these judges,” JPEC Chair Denise Torres said. “The Commission did take factors such as COVID-19 and the need to conduct hearings and trials remotely into consideration, as well Read More

State Bar Of New Mexico Mourns Loss Of Senior United States District Judge James A. Parker

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U.S. District Judge James A. Parker

SBNM News:

The State Bar of New Mexico is saddened to hear of the passing of United States District Judge James A. Parker Sept. 16, 2022 at the age of 85.

Upon learning of his passing, State Bar of New Mexico President Carolyn A. Wolf was quoted as saying, “He was a brilliant jurist and courteous to all who appeared before him.”

As quoted from the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico:

“Judge Parker will be remembered for his public service within the judiciary, both on the bench handling complex cases and behind the scenes serving on national Read More

Attorney General Balderas Announces Yet Another Conviction Against Serial Organized Retail Criminal

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Attorney General Hector Balderas

From the Office of the Attorney General:

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Friday the conviction of Marcos Concepcion on four different felony counts of shoplifting crimes committed in Albuquerque.

As a result of Friday’s guilty pleas, Concepcion faces up to three years in prison. Sentencing will be set after a sentencing evaluation is completed.

“Our communities have become a dangerous playground for organized retail criminals, and my office is tirelessly working to ensure these repeat offenders are held accountable Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Upholds $74,000 Restitution Owed In Cody W. Davis Poaching Case

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Confiscated antlers from a trophy mule deer poached by Cody W. Davis. Courtesy/NMGF

NMDGF News:

SANTA FE — Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of the State of New Mexico upheld a Court of Appeals judgement, which ordered Cody W. Davis of Arnegard, North Dakota to pay $74,000 in restitution to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) (department) for poaching a trophy mule deer buck in December 2015.

This civil restitution included $20,000 for the trophy mule deer that was killed out of season, without a license and resulted in the waste of game. An additional $54,000 was assessed as reimbursement Read More

New Mexico State Police Arrest Taos Man On 8th DWI

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Pete Pedroncelli

TAOS – A Taos man is under arrest for his eighth offense of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and or drug (DWI).

At approximately 9:55 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, a New Mexico State Police (NMSP) officer on patrol stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on Tewa Street in Taos for a traffic violation. When the officer made contact with the driver, Pete Pedroncelli, 60, of Taos, he smelt a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath.

A DWI investigation was conducted and Pedroncelli was taken into custody without incident for DWI.

A criminal history search revealed Read More

AG Announces Pretrial Detention Of Violent Serial Shoplifter

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Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Friday another success against organized retail crime in Albuquerque with the pretrial detention of Brianna Garcia.

The New Mexico Office of the Attorney General motioned to detain Garcia until trial, detailing her dangerousness to the community. That motion hearing was delayed by Garcia’s flight to Oklahoma, where she picked up additional charges.

By the time she was returned to New Mexico, the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office had filed additional charges against Read More

AG Balderas Delivers Opening Argument With Demand For Accountability In High-Profile Opioid Trial Against Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger

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Attorney General Hector Balderas

From the Office of the Attorney General:

SANTA FE — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas delivered opening remarks, kicking off the State’s opioid trial against Walmart, Walgreens and Kroger. 

The trial addresses the State’s allegations that the companies substantially contributed to the opioid crisis in New Mexico by failing to monitor suspicious orders of opioids and failing to investigate prescriptions filled at their pharmacies that may have been written for an illegitimate purpose.

The trial, which began Sept. 6 in Santa Fe, is expected to Read More