Police

State Police Checkpoints, Saturation Patrols Across State During February

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NMSP News:

State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols; and registration, insurance, and driver’s license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties during February 2026.

We are bringing awareness to these events to reduce impaired driving-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising.

These checkpoints are helping to change society’s attitude about driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

Hundreds of lives could be saved each year if every driver had the courage to make the right Read More

FBI: Third Defendant Charged In September 2025 School Zone Shooting In Las Cruces

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Handgun located on John Anthony Orta on Sept. 6, 2025, in Las Cruces. He has been charged federally with possession of a firearm in a school zone. He faces up to five years in prison. Courtesy/FBI

The AR-15 style pistol located on Steven Mendoza on Sept. 6, 2025, in Las Cruces. He has been charged federally with possession of a firearm in a school zone. His trial is pending. Courtesy/FBI

Instagram photo of Luis Angel Ruiz with what appears to be the same AR-15 style piston recovered from Steven Mendoza Sept. 6, 2025, in Las Cruces. Ruiz was charged Sept. 24, 2025, with discharging a firearm in a school

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FBI: Shiprock Man Gets 78 Months In Prison For Unlawfully Possessing Loaded Shotgun

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Shiprock man was sentenced to 78 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a loaded shotgun, which he obtained by stealing and attempting to sell it.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, Aug. 10, 2022, Crandall Craig Martin, 42, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, stole a loaded firearm with the intention of trading it for alcohol or money to buy alcohol. As both a previously convicted felon and misdemeanant convicted of a crime of domestic violence, Martin was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Martin subsequently Read More

FBI: Albuquerque Man Charged After FBI Finds Modified Hand Grenade In His Home

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man has been federally charged with unlawfully possessing an improvised explosive device following the discovery of a modified hand grenade in his home.

According to court documents, on Dec. 31, 2025, the Albuquerque Police Department responded to a residence in northwest Albuquerque after the resident, Jeff Bramlett, 46, requested medical assistance. While assisting at the residence, officers observed what appeared to be hand grenades and requested assistance from the FBI’s Albuquerque Special Agent Bomb Technicians.

Agents located two devices, Read More

Los Alamos Police Chief Issues Response To Questions From Community Regarding County Immigration Policy

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By Police Chief Dino Sgambellone
Los Alamos Police Department

The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) has received questions from some members of the community regarding our immigration policy. Our policy has remained consistent. LAPD will continue to work with all our federal partners to provide assistance as prescribed by law, or as a matter of public and/or officer safety. 

Specific to immigration, LAPD has a responsibility to properly identify and make Consular notification of any foreign citizen taken into custody in accordance with law and international treaties. However, victims Read More

Los Alamos 2025 Crime Statistics Reflect 20% Drop

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By Chief Dino Sgambellone
Los Alamos Police Department

Overall, crime reported to police in all categories fell 20%, with Crimes Against Persons increasing from 47 to 56, Crimes Against Property decreasing from 153 to 110, and Crimes Against Society decreasing from 22 to 12. 

Consistent with crime reported to police in 2024, larceny/theft and fraud cases continue to drive higher crime rates within the community. 

Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant in their neighborhoods and should secure personal belongings, vehicles, and residences. Please feel free to contact the Police Department Read More

New Mexico Senate Committee Discusses Harsher Penalties For Felons With Guns

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By ESTEBAN CANDELARIA
The Santa Fe New Mexican

The illegal possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a crime carries serious penalties in New Mexico — at least three years in prison.

Still, hundreds of people have been charged with the offense in recent years.

So, how can New Mexico better deter the problem?

That was the question lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee pondered Monday afternoon, as the Legislature gears up to consider several proposals designed to curb violent crime in New Mexico during this year’s 30-day session.

For Ben Baker, senior public safety adviser Read More

FBI: Albuquerque Man Gets 19 Years For Online Sextortion

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 19 and a half years in prison for coercing a 15-year-old girl into producing sexually explicit images over several years and for sexually exploiting a second victim who was 12 years old.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, between 2019 and 2022, Adrian Puentes, 26, engaged in an ongoing pattern of sextortion and sexual exploitation involving two minor victims. Beginning when Jane Doe 1 was in eighth grade, Puentes used multiple social media platforms, including Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok, to Read More

NMSP Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting In Artesia

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NMSP News:

ARTESIA — Jan. 21, 2026, the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau was requested by the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force to investigate an officer-involved shooting (OIS) involving one of their detectives.

Investigations Bureau agents learned earlier that day, the United States Marshals Service requested assistance from the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force, in apprehending Aaron Cane Vasquez (27). Vasquez was wanted on a no-bond probation violation warrant with nationwide extradition. Vasquez was also identified as a person of interest in Read More

Rep. Gabe Vasquez On Lack Of Reform And Accountability In Department Of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill

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U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) released the following statement today ahead of his vote opposing the FY26 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill. In July 2025, DHS received a $150 billion “blank check” under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is now being used to fund ICE with no guardrails or oversight.

“As long as Secretary Noem continues to run DHS as a rogue agency that directs masked agents to create chaos in our communities and detain our citizens with impunity and no regard for our rights Read More