Police

FBI Warns Of Government Impersonation Scams

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FBI News:

The FBI Albuquerque Field Office is issuing a public warning about Government Impersonation scams.

The FBI, along with other federal, state, local, and tribal partners, is working to investigate cases in which scammers are using advanced spoofing scams to steal the public’s hard-earned money.

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), there have been Nationwide reported losses of more than $33 million due to Government Impersonation scams from January through November 2024. While these scams are not new, they have become more advanced and involve networks Read More

FBI: U.S. Attorney’s Office Charge Nageezi Man With Abuse

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Nageezi man has been charged with sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact in Indian Country.

Patrick Wayne Platero, 46, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge and will remain in the third-party custody of La Pasada halfway house pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to the indictment, between on or about Jan. 1, 2024, and on or about April 30, 2024, Platero allegedly sexually abused and engaged in abusive sexual contact with Jane Doe.

If convicted, Platero faces up to life in prison followed by not less than five years Read More

Healing America’s Heroes Has New Home; Winter Programs

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CEO Eddie Crain with his favorite horse Cowboy. Courtesy photo

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
Champions of Youth Ambitions

Eddie Crain is the Founder and CEO of Healing America’s Heroes (HAH), founded in 2014 in Northern New Mexico. They started in the Chama, Tierra Amarilla area, and conducted summer programs there through 2021. They have networked with Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) in Los Alamos in the past to spread the word to local Veterans about free, available services.

HAH made a big move in 2021 to Fort Stanton, N.M. The change has allowed them to expand their services Read More

U.S. Attorney’s Office And FBI Investigate Man In Vanderwagen Suspected Of Child Abuse … If Convicted Faces 20 Years

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The U.S. Attorney’s Office And FBI are investigating allegations of child sexual abuse involving a minor against a man in Vanderwagen, N.M.

Nolin Leupp, 26, appeared before a federal judge and will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled, on charges of receiving child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, Dec. 8, 2024, a witness reported a suspected sexual assault involving Leupp and a minor victim. The witness further disclosed concerning communications between Leupp and the victim, including Snapchat messages Read More

NMSP: Man Shot After Argument At Family Health Center

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NMSP News:

New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau agents were called Dec. 30, 2024, to 1302 East Main Street, Quay County Family Health Center in Tucumcari, to investigate a shooting.

Agents learned that around 4:10 p.m., a call came into 911 where a female stated her husband was shot. Investigators learned that Anthony Kent, 56, was arguing with another male in the parking lot of the health center when the argument escalated.

At some point during the argument, Kent brandished a firearm and discharged multiple rounds. The male’s wife exited the health center after hearing the Read More

Los Alamos Police Department Investigates Plane Crash

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The Los Alamos Police Department is investigating a plane crash that occurred this afternoon at the Los Alamos County Airport. Courtesy/LAPD

The Los Alamos Fire Department responded to a plane crash that occurred this afternoon at the Los Alamos County  Airport. Courtesy/LAPD

LAPD News:

The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) is on the scene and actively investigating a plane crash that occurred just before 1:24 p.m. today, Dec. 31, 2024, at the Los Alamos County Airport.

“According to the pilot, he took off from Los Alamos Airport, circled the area a few times, and returned to the airport. Read More

New Mexico State Police Issue Nearly 1,000 Traffic Citations During 2024 C.A.R.E. Operation Over Christmas Holiday

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NMSP will continue to conduct holiday travel operations into the new year and encourages the public to drive safely and follow all traffic laws while traveling on New Mexico’s roadways. Courtesy/NMSP

NMSP News:

Statewide—During the Christmas holiday, the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) participated in the Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) operation, which was implemented across all roadways in the state.

The initiative aims to enhance motorist safety and decrease the number of crashes by maintaining a strong law enforcement presence.

Due to the increased traffic volume  Read More

FBI: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures 21 Month Prison Sentence Of Zuni Man For Violent Assault

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Zuni man was sentenced in federal court to 21 months in prison for a violent assault that left a fellow tribal member with severe injuries.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, Jan. 25, 2023, Zuni Police Department (ZPD) officers responded to a report of an assault near a road within the Zuni Pueblo. They found the victim, John Doe, lying in the road, bleeding heavily from the head and facial area. Witnesses reported that the assailants had fled the scene in a pick-up truck.

John Doe suffered severe injuries that required hospitalization Read More

FBI: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Guilty Plea From Albuquerque Man For Production Of Child Abuse Materials

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Kevin Vallo faces up to 25 years in prison.

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Albuquerque man pleaded guilty to federal charges of production of child sexual abuse materials, admitting to creating illicit content and using social media to lure minors for sexual exploitation.

According to court documents, Kevin Vallo, 40, used the social media messaging app Telegram to communicate with a 13-year-old victim. Vallo created multiple profiles on Telegram under different names and personas, misrepresenting his age as 16 when he was actually 39 years old.

Vallo admitted to engaging in sexually explicit Read More

U.S. Attorney’s Office & FBI On Second Superseding Indictment Against Serial Murderer Labar Tsethlikai Of Zuni Pueblo

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Federal prosecutors have filed six additional charges against Labar Tsethlikai for kidnapping and assault with a dangerous weapon.

The additional charges are part of a larger series of violent crimes committed by Tsethlikai against Native American men across New Mexico between 2022 and 2024.

The added charges correspond to five additional victims.

Tsethlikai, 51, an enrolled Member of Zuni Pueblo, now faces a 17-count second superseding indictment charging him with five additional counts of kidnapping and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon as follows: Read More