Courts

New Mexico’s EMNRD Announces $1.7 Million Notice Of Violations Settlement With XTO Permian Operating, LLC

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EMNRD News:

…Penalties include operating under expired permits and not meeting the written operational and reporting conditions of approval at injection wells

Santa Fe – Today the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s (EMNRD) Oil Conservation Division (OCD) announced that it has settled four notices of violation (NOV) issued to XTO Permian Operating, LLC (XTO).

The stipulated final order also addresses the proposed administrative civil penalties associated with those violations, which were resolved by a payment of $1.77 million by XTO that will be deposited in Read More

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas Secures Conviction Of Offender Who Videotaped His Abuse Of Child

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Attorney General Hector Balderas

From the Office of the Attorney General:

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Wednesday that Joshua Vigil pled guilty to five felony counts involving his sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

Under the plea agreement accepted by the district court this afternoon, Vigil pled guilty to:

  • Criminal Sexual Penetration (1st Degree) (Child Under 13);
  • Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor in the Second Degree (Child Under 13);
  • Sexual Exploitation of Children (Manufacturing);
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine);
Read More

FBI: Las Cruces Man Charged For Threatening To Burn New Mexico State University

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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 John Oliver Hamilton made an initial appearance in federal court Aug. 12 on a criminal complaint charging him with threatening to burn a building by means of fire.

Hamilton, 54, of Las Cruces will remain in custody pending a preliminary and detention hearing scheduled for Aug. 17.

According to the complaint, Hamilton allegedly made a string of telephone calls July 27 to the Office of Institutional Read More

Supreme Court Honors Retired Justice Edward Chávez

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Members of the Supreme Court with retired Justice Edward Chávez and his wife in the robing room. From left: Justice David Thomson; Justice Briana Zamora; Chief Justice C. Shannon Bacon; retired Justice Chávez; his wife, Sandra; Justice Julie Vargas and Justice Michael Vigil. Courtesy/NMSC

Retired Justice Edward Chávez, left, and Justice Michael Vigil in the Supreme Court building with a newly published commemorative volume of opinions written by Justice Chávez. Courtesy/NMSC

NMSC News:

SANTA FE — The state Supreme Court (NMSC) has honored retired Justice Edward Chávez by dedicating Read More

New Mexico Environment Department Files Administrative Complaint Against Rust Movie Productions In Fatality Case

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NMED News:

SANTA FE – Today, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) filed an administrative complaint against Rust Movie Productions, LLC (RMP) after the company contested citations issued April 19, 2022.

NMED and RMP were unable to reach a settlement of the citations during a 90-day administrative review period following the contest, requiring NMED to file the complaint with the Occupational Health and Safety Review Commission.

RMP has 15 days following service of the complaint to file their response to NMED’s complaint with the Commission. Upon receipt of the complaint and response Read More

FBI: Albuquerque Drug Trafficker Gets 17 Years In Prison

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that John Seibel was sentenced Aug. 2 to 17 years and six months in prison.

Seibel, 26, of Albuquerque, pleaded guilty March 15 to two counts of distribution of 50 grams and more of a substance and mixture containing methamphetamine, four counts of distribution of 40 grams and more of fentanyl, two counts of distribution of 500 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, and one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

In his plea, Seibel Read More

Attorney General Hector Balderas Announces Arrest Warrants For Repeat Retail Crime Offender

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Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force has issued an arrest warrant for Alejandro Lujan-House.  Lujan-House was released from MDC July 25 after taking a plea to shoplifting charges, but he was arrested again the very next day after two more incidents of theft at the same Walgreens store.

Lujan-House is being charged with seven felonies.

“Organized retail crime has become a billion-dollar crisis that can no longer be ignored, and my office will continue to pursue the legislature to strengthen Read More

New Mexico Eviction Prevention Efforts Lauded At White House Summit

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice C. Shannon Bacon Tuesday outlined successful efforts in New Mexico to prevent evictions and the state’s initiatives were lauded by a White House official as a model for reform.

Speaking virtually at a White House summit on eviction prevention, the Chief Justice described how the Supreme Court in March 2020 ordered a moratorium on evictions for inability to pay rent and this year phased in a court-based Eviction Prevention and Diversion Program to assist tenants and landlords. 

The state has awarded more than $148 million for rent, utilities, Read More

AG Balderas Secures Conviction In Multi-Jurisdictional Organized Retail Crime Spree

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Attorney General Hector Balderas

From the Office of the Attorney General:

ALBUQUERQUE — Today, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced the conviction of Davina Quintana on eleven different counts of shoplifting, crimes Quintana committed in both Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.

As a result of yesterday’s guilty pleas, Quintana faces up to 12 years in prison. Sentencing will be set after Quintana completes a sentencing evaluation. 

“Organized retail criminals endanger innocent lives and increase costs to consumers, and we must put a stop to these repeat offenders that have been Read More

Santa Fe Magistrate Court Judge George Anaya Jr. Retiring After Serving 30 Years

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Santa Fe County Magistrate Judge George Anaya Jr. Courtesy photo

NMSC News:

SANTA FE — Santa Fe County Magistrate Judge George Anaya Jr. is retiring after 30 years on the bench.

The judge’s last day on the bench will be Aug. 31. 

“I am proud of the work I’ve done for the court, both on and off the bench. I work diligently to make sure every person who comes before the court is treated with respect and dignity,” Judge Anaya said. “It has been a true honor to serve the citizens of Santa Fe for the past 30 years. I will treasure my time working for the Judiciary of New Mexico for the rest of my life.”

Judge Anaya, who Read More