Police

Council Approves $368 Million Budget For FY2026

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Los Alamos County Council has voted 6-1 to approve a $367,980,440 budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 during Wednesday night’ final hearing in Council Chambers. Courtesy/LAC

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Council voted 6-1 to approve a $367,980,440 budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Wednesday night during its final hearing. Councilor David Reagor voted against the budget.

In a related matter, Council voted 6-1, with Reagor opposed, to approve a motion directing staff to return to council no later than Oct. 31 with a 1/2 cent gross receipt tax Read More

New Mexico State Police Investigating Death Of Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield

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NMSP News:

ABIQUIU — April 20, 2025, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate the off-duty death of Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield at 4759A NM Highway 96 in Abiquiu, NM. 

Investigations Bureau agents learned through interviews that April 20, 2025, at approximately 3 a.m., a friend of Sheriff Merrifield received a phone call from a woman who stated she was with Sheriff Merrifield, and they were involved in a minor crash in his government issued patrol vehicle while he was off-duty.

According to the friend, he located Sheriff Merrifield’s patrol Read More

New Mexico State Police Arrest Homicide Suspect After Shooting In Truchas

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NMSP News:

TRUCHAS — Sunday, April 20, New Mexico State Police (NMSP) arrested a man after he fatally shot his father at their home in Truchas, NM.

On at about 3:46 p.m., Sunday, April 20, New Mexico State Police officers were dispatched to a residence at 120A County Road 77 in Truchas, New Mexico, after receiving reports of an open 911 call where dispatchers noted hearing at least one gunshot. When officers arrived, they found 44-year-old Fernando Romero inside the home with a gunshot wound to the chest. His son, 18-year-old Ricky Romero, who was at the scene, was detained after officers observed Read More

FBI: 30 Year Prison Sentence For Convicted Killer

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Farmington man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in the brutal killing of a man on the Navajo Nation in 2020.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, between Feb. 6-Feb.15, 2020, Tyran Begay, 40, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, helped confine and torture John Doe alongside Camille Damon and Ronald Belone by binding and beating the victim, and leaving his body exposed to frigid weather in a remote area near Smith Lake, New Mexico.

Upon his release from prison, Begay will be subject to five years of supervised release.

Damon Read More

FBI Honors Internship Program Open For Applications

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FBI News:

College students who want to start a career of a lifetime can apply for the Summer 2026 FBI Honors Internship Program.

The application window opened April 14, and the deadline to apply is May 2, 2025.

The FBI Honors Internship is open for full-time undergraduate and graduate students. This paid internship gives students the opportunity to work across the country, including New Mexico.

Interns will spend ten weeks alongside FBI Special Agents and professional staff to support investigations, work on a wide variety of projects, and learn about the FBI’s mission. Students from all educational Read More

LAPD To Host Spring DEA Drug Take-Back Day April 26

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LAPD News:

The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) will participate in the spring DEA Drug Take Back Day 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26.

The event will be held in the Justice Center North Parking Lot adjacent to LAPD.

Please follow the posted signs and drive through, to the take back boxes. Dispose of any trash or empty bottles before dropping off. Labels on bottles do not have to be removed, however anyone preferring to remove them is asked to please do so beforehand. Items that may be disposed of include liquids and creams; however, sharps and aerosols will NOT be accepted.

This drug diversion Read More

FBI: Taos Man Admits To Killing Up-And-Coming Native American Artist Deanna Autumn Leaf Suazo

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DeAnna Suazo with her artwork. Courtesy/David Gary Suazo

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Santiago Martinez has pleaded guilty in federal court to voluntary manslaughter for the death of his girlfriend, DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo, a talented Indigenous artist, following a late-night argument in November 2021.

According to court records, Nov. 12, 2021, Martinez and his girlfriend, Suazo, were at their shared home, where they consumed alcohol and listened to music in her vehicle. Early in the morning hours, the couple engaged in a heated argument outside their home about the future of their relationship, Read More

FBI: Farmington Couple Pleads Guilty Of Violent Assault

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Farmington man has pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, while his wife has pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting in connection with a violent assault in 2023.

According to court records, July 28, 2023, during an argument, Renauldo Sandoval, 40, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, slammed Jane Doe into a wall and strangled her, causing her to fall to the ground. Lisa Sandoval, 39, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, then pinned Jane Doe to the ground.

At sentencing, Renauldo and Lisa both face up to 10 years in prison followed by three years Read More

FBI: Arizona Man Charged With Federal Assault And Stolen Vehicle Transport After High-Speed New Mexico Pursuit

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Arizona man is facing federal charges for allegedly assaulting federal officers and transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines after a high-speed pursuit in New Mexico.

According to court documents, March 31, 2025, Christopher Jack Leach, 33, became aware of a warrant for his arrest in Arizona. He borrowed a friend’s vehicle under false pretenses, claiming he would drive it to another friend’s house in Arizona, but instead fled toward Florida with a passenger. The vehicle was reported stolen after the owner realized Leach’s deception.

On that date, Read More