Police

Two Mexican Nationals Removed To U.S. To Face Federal Drug Trafficking Charges In New Mexico

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Two Mexican nationals were removed to the United States to face federal drug trafficking charges in New Mexico.

Daniel Alfred Blanco-Joo, 39, made his initial appearance today in New Mexico after being removed from Mexico on a five-count indictment charging him with conspiracy, distribution of fentanyl, distribution of an analogue of fentanyl, and international money laundering conspiracy.

David Eliezer Seas-Centeno, 43, made his initial appearance today in New Mexico after being removed from Mexico on a charge of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

Federal Read More

Sponsor: Bill Banning Sale Of ‘Extremely Dangerous’ Guns Is Dead — For Now

By DANIEL J. CHACÓN AND CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican

After being riddled with a slew of proposed amendments in a late-night committee hearing, the most contentious gun control bill of New Mexico’s 30-day session is all but dead.

One of the lead sponsors of Senate Bill 17, Sen. Debbie O’Malley, D-Albuquerque, said Tuesday the measure is unlikely to get another hearing after the House Judiciary Committee delayed a vote early Tuesday morning. 

“There’s not enough time to hear it again,” she said.

“Of course, it’s disappointing that we won’t hear that bill,” O’Malley added. “But we’re going Read More

Los Alamos Police Arrest Two Men And A Woman In Connection With Local Storage Unit Burglaries

Burglary suspects arrested today from left, Gunner Stacy, Samantha Lopez and Nehemiah Hillhouse. Courtesy/LAPD

LAPD News:

At approximately 3:30 a.m. today, Feb. 17, officers with the Los Alamos Police Department responded to reports of two men returning to the J&L Storage facility in connection with a series of recent storage unit burglaries.

Responding officers observed two men fleeing the area on foot. Officers immediately established a perimeter and requested additional resources, including the department’s K-9 unit, to assist in locating and apprehending the suspects.

During Read More

FBI: Albuquerque Woman Pleads Guilty Mid-Trial To Methamphetamine Trafficking

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — After one day of trial testimony, an Albuquerque woman pleaded guilty to methamphetamine trafficking.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, May 18, 2023, the FBI Violent Gang Task Force executed a search warrant at the northeast Albuquerque residence of Nora Baca, 67. During the search, agents located approximately three pounds of methamphetamine in the bedroom of Baca’s housemate and codefendant.

Sept. 10, 2024, following an investigation into a significant intergang drug trafficking conspiracy involving both incarcerated and non-incarcerated Read More

Bill To Curb New Mexico License Plate Data Sharing Heads To Senate Floor

State Police Chief Troy Weisler

By CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican

An effort to restrict out-of-state agencies from using license plate camera data in New Mexico to enforce things like immigration laws or other states’ abortion bans is moving forward.

The “Driver Privacy and Safety Act” passed the state Senate Judiciary Committee Monday afternoon with unanimous support, despite some misgivings from a pair of Republicans on the committee. It will head next to the Senate floor for a vote.

“If we don’t put basic guardrails on, this is a really dangerous tool,” Senate Majority Leader Read More

FBI: Convicted Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty Mid-Trial To Methamphetamine Trafficking

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — After one day of trial testimony, an Albuquerque woman pleaded guilty to methamphetamine trafficking.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, May 18, 2023, the FBI Violent Gang Task Force executed a search warrant at the northeast Albuquerque residence of Nora Baca, 67. During the search, agents located approximately three pounds of methamphetamine in the bedroom of Baca’s housemate and codefendant.

Sept. 10, 2024, following an investigation into a significant intergang drug trafficking conspiracy involving both incarcerated and non-incarcerated Read More

New Mexico Public Safety Workers Call On Senate To Go With Governor’s Higher Pay Plan

Bryanna Vargas, sergeant at the Springer Correctional Center, speaks in support of 6% raises for state public safety employees to be included in the state budget during a news conference in the rotunda of the state Capitol Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Photo by Matt Dahlseid/The New Mexican

By NATHAN BROWN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Public safety workers are urging lawmakers to take up Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proposal for bigger raises for corrections workers, police and firefighters, arguing the current pay rates put safety at risk by contributing to high vacancies.

“We show up every single Read More

FBI Honors Internship Program Open For Applications

FBI News:

College students who want to start a career of a lifetime are invited to apply for the Summer 2027 FBI Honors Internship Program.

The application window opened on February 9, 2026, the deadline to apply is March 5, 2026.

The FBI Honors Internship is open to full-time undergraduate and graduate students. This paid internship gives students the opportunity to work at FBI headquarters or in one of our 56 field offices located across the country.

Interns will spend ten weeks alongside FBI Special Agents and professional staff supporting investigations, working on a wide variety of projects, Read More

FBI: Arizona Man Sentenced For Sexual Abuse

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Arizona man was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for engaging in sexual acts with a minor victim using threats and intimidation.

There is no parole in the federal system.

In August of 2021, Fernando Yatsatie, Jr., 48, a member of the Zuni Pueblo, unlawfully engaged in a sexual act with a minor victim using threats and intimidation.

Yatsatie pleaded guilty to sexual abuse. Upon his release from prison, Yatsatie will be subject to fifteen years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Read More

New Mexico Senators, Public Square Off On Safety Versus Freedom In Gun Debate

State Rep. John Block, R-Alamogordo, right, joins a pro-Second Amendment rally Saturday outside the Capitol. Sponsored by the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association and the New Mexico Firearms Industry Association, demonstrators, a number of them armed, voiced their opposition to Senate Bill 17, a gun control bill moving through the Legislature. Nathan Burton/The New Mexican

Bethany Padilla, center, a member of UNM’s Students Demand Action chapter, wipes tears from her eyes as she listens to speakers share their experiences of gun violence during a rally in support of Senate Bill 17 on Read More