Public Safety

New Mexico Jury Delivers $375 Million Verdict Against Meta In Landmark Case

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Feliz Rael
President
New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association

From New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association:

          • Lawyers Fight and Win for Kids to be Protected From Meta
          • New Mexico Jurors Are the Heroes

SANTA FE — In a major victory for consumers and families, a jury has awarded a $375 million verdict against Meta, finding the social media giant failed to disclose the potential mental health harms its platforms pose to minors.

The case, brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez in partnership with nationally recognized trial firm Motley Rice LLC, resulted in $187.5 million in damages for each of Read More

FBI: Shiprock Woman Sentenced For Assault

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Shiprock woman was sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting and stabbing another woman.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, on Nov. 21, 2024, Angelia Garcia, 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, repeatedly stabbed Jane Doe in an unprovoked attack. As a result of the attack, the victim sustained serious wounds, including a wound to the back of her neck. During a subsequent interview with agents, Garcia admitted to stabbing the victim.

Garcia subsequently pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Upon her release from Read More

Final Update For Nacimiento Wildfire—Now 100% Contained

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Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

Location: The wildfire is in the Cuba Ranger District, south of New Mexico State Road 126 and the Nacimiento Mine 

Start Date: March 22, 2026

Size: 18 acres 

Containment: 100 % 

Cause: Under investigation 

Vegetation: Burning in oak, ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper, and Douglas fir.  

Resources: 60 personnel  

Highlights: Fire crews remain actively engaged using a direct extinguishment strategy on the 18‑acre wildfire. On Sunday, firefighters, supported by large airtankers dropping retardant, were able to stop the fire’s forward progress. Handlines, along Read More

To’hajiilee Man Accused Of Shooting Two Navajo Nation Police Officers Faces Federal Charges

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A To’hajiilee man faces federal charges in connection with the shooting of two Navajo Nation Police Department officers.

According to court records, on March 6, 2026, Russell Secatero, 29, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly shot and injured two Navajo Nation Police Department officers during a law enforcement response to reports of gunfire near a residence in To’hajiilee, New Mexico.

Authorities allege Secatero hid inside a closet attached to the residence and fired at officers with a rifle, striking Officer John Doe in the arm and back and injuring Read More

FBI: Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty In Trafficking Case

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A California man with ties to Albuquerque pleaded guilty in federal court to sex trafficking two minors and transporting them to New Mexico for commercial sex acts, and a second defendant pleaded guilty to concealing the offense.

According to court documents, in December 2024, Roderick Norseweather Jr., 26, recruited two minors in California and transported, provided for, and maintained them for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts. Norseweather purchased cell phones for the minors, required them to use the Life360 app—an application designed to monitor Read More

LAPD Awarded Third CALEA Re-Accreditation

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Gathered for the award ceremony, from left, CALEA Commissioner Matthew Packard, Colonel, Colorado State Patrol, Los Alamos ECC Accreditation Manager Erica Manzanares, LAPD Deputy Chief James Rodriguez, LAPD Chief Dino Sgambellone, Los Alamos Deputy County Manager Juan Rael,  Los Alamos Deputy ECC Manager Seth Martinez, and CALEA Executive Director Craig Hartley. Courtesy/LAPD

LAPD News:

The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) was awarded the Gold Standard in Public Safety Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) during a special ceremony Read More

New Mexico OKs Labeling Of PFAS In Consumer Products

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NMED News:

          • State among first to implement universal labeling requirements

SANTA FE — New Mexico’s Environmental Improvement Board today approved landmark rules requiring manufacturers to label consumer products containing intentionally added PFAS — the ‘forever chemicals’ often linked to serious health conditions including certain types of cancer — giving shoppers the ability to identify products made with PFAS.

In addition, the rules implement state law, which phases out and prohibits the sale of certain products containing PFAS.

“Today marks a monumental day for New Mexico, putting Read More

Senators Heinrich & Luján Join Push To ‘Stop Department Of Education’s Weaponization Of Civil Rights Investigations’

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and 13 other Senate Democrats in urging the Department of Education to reverse its efforts to weaponize the Office of Civil Rights to carry out the Trump administration’s ideological agenda. 

The Senators point to a series of alarming actions taken by the Department of Education, including cases targeting transgender student protections and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, gutting protections for students Read More

Community Invited To Red Cross Shelter Operations Training

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COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Office of Emergency Management is partnering with the American Red Cross to offer Shelter Operations Training for community members interested in supporting disaster response efforts.

The training is 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 11, at the White Rock Training Center/Emergency Operations Center at 139 Longview Drive. 

During disasters, the American Red Cross helps ensure individuals and families who are displaced have a safe place to stay, a hot meal, and access to essential support services. This training will introduce participants to the fundamentals Read More

FBI: Dulce Man Pleads Guilty To Second Degree Murder

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Dulce man has pleaded guilty in federal court to shooting and killing another man.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of June 5, 2024, Damian Amarillo, 21, a member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, shot and killed John Doe in a neighborhood in Dulce, N.M., within the exterior boundaries of the Jicarilla Apache Nation.

The shooting followed an earlier confrontation at Amarillo’s residence. After John Doe left the residence, Amarillo chased him through the neighborhood, assaulted him, and then shot him. John Doe died from his injuries at the scene. Read More