Police

NMSP And New Mexico Corrections Department Security Threat Intelligence Unit Apprehend 3 Wanted Fugitives

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NMSP News:

LUNA COUNTY — The New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Fugitive Apprehension Unit (FAU) and New Mexico Corrections Department Security Threat Intelligence Unit (STIU) executed a successful joint operation resulting in the arrests of 3 wanted fugitives.

A proactive warrant operation was carried out on June 14, 2024 with STIU to locate wanted criminals within Luna County.

Jimmy Payne, 37, was located at a residence and jumped out of a window in order to escape agents.

A short foot pursuit ensued before he was caught and arrested on his warrants for larceny and resisting evading or obstructing Read More

New Mexico State Police Conduct Education And Enforcement Operations To Reduce Crashes In Lea County

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NMSP News:

LEA COUNTY — In February 2024, New Mexico State Police (NMSP) officers in Lea County began conducting proactive operations to educate drivers by enforcing traffic and commercial motor vehicle codes.

The goal of the continuing operation is to reduce crashes and fatalities in Lea County.

The operation centered on some of Lea County’s busiest roads, including State Roads 128 and 18, U.S. Highway 62/180, Delaware Basin, Weaver, and Battle Axe Roads. Officers patrolled the areas during peak traffic hours in the morning and evening.

To date, 19 separate operations beginning Read More

NMSP Crime Suppression Bureau Conducts 3-Day Ops Yielding 13 Arrests, Removal Of Drugs, Two Firearms

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NMSP News:

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Crime Suppression Bureau (CSB) made multiple arrests after conducting a 3-day operation in Albuquerque.

June 3, 5 and 6, 2024, New Mexico State Police Crime Suppression Bureau agents proactively patrolled Albuquerque during an operation targeting criminal activity.

Agents were able to locate and arrest multiple individuals on numerous charges and active warrants.

Angelo Lopez, 34, was arrested on warrants stemming from previous charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly Read More

FBI: Sanostee Man Gets 144 Months In Prison For Beating Friend To Death During Drunken Altercation

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Sanostee man was sentenced to 144 months in prison after pleading guilty to the beating death of his friend during a drunken altercation.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, June 8, 2022, John Doe went to the residence of Tyrone Atcitty Nez, 34, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, to assist with repairing a water heater. During the visit, John Doe and Nez were drinking together and rough housing.

At one point, John Doe stood up from a seated position, and Nez punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious and causing him to fall to Read More

FBI: Fruitland Woman Charged With Assaulting Another Woman With A Knife Faces Up To 10 Years In Prison

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Fruitland woman was charged by indictment with two counts of assault. Richelle R. Upshaw, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge Friday and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to the indictment, Feb. 21, 2023, Upshaw assaulted Jane Doe with a dangerous weapon, a knife, and the assault resulted in serious bodily injury to Doe’s head and face.

If convicted of these charges, Upshaw faces up to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Read More

FBI: Arizona Man Gets 20 Years In Prison For Child Assault

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Arizona man was sentenced to 20 years in the Bureau of Prisons for the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl on the Navajo Nation reservation.

There is no parole in the federal system.

Darwin Chee, 53, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, used threats of force and the fear of serious bodily injury to repeatedly sexually assault Jane Doe, a child relative within his care, at a residence located within the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Nation.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Chee will be required to serve a lifetime of supervised release and must register Read More

FBI: Gallup Woman Sentenced To Five Years Probation For Drunken Rollover Crash That Killed Unrestrained Infant

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Gallup woman was sentenced to a five-year term of probation after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter for drunkenly rolling her vehicle and killing an 8-month-old boy who was ejected from the vehicle.

According to court document, on Feb. 11, 2022, Mariah Chapo, 27, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, two friends, and 8-month-old John Doe traveled to collect firewood. When they arrived, the group began drinking alcohol. During this time, John Doe was unrestrained in the back seat.

An argument between the other two members of the group caused Chapo to Read More

FBI: Bloomfield Man Sentenced To Five Years For Federal Firearm And Drug Trafficking Offenses

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Bloomfield man was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty in federal court to federal firearm and drug trafficking offenses.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on April 7, 2023, officers with the Bloomfield Police Department observed Jerome Phillips, 34, on a public street in Bloomfield. Knowing Phillips had an outstanding arrest warrant, they approached him. Phillips fled, and officers pursued. During the pursuit, Phillips reached for his waistband and dropped a firearm.

Phillips eventually surrendered Read More

Los Alamos County Council Honors Deputy Chief Morris

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Los Alamos County Council recognized Deputy Police Chief Oliver Morris this evening in Council Chambers for ‘his exemplary service to Los Alamos County’. Morris is retiring Friday after 20 years of service. Pictured from left, Councilor Randall Ryti, Morris, his wife Kateri Morris and their children Ty and Sierra. Courtesy/LAC Read More

NMSP Investigates Shooting Involving Española Police

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NMSP News:

June 9, 2024, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving the Española Police Department (EPD). 

Investigations Bureau agents learned that at around 6:15 p.m., an EPD officer located a stolen Jeep SUV at a Walgreens parking lot. As the EPD officer approached the stolen Jeep, the passenger door opened, and a male fled from the vehicle. The officer began giving verbal commands to the driver, who was identified as Jeffrey Martinez (28). At some point during the encounter, the officer discharged their duty Read More