Courts

Los Alamos County Council To Consider Legal Services To Help Pursue Recovery Costs In Nationwide PFAS Claim

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COUNTY News:

At its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7, the Los Alamos County Council will consider a recommendation from the County Manager and Utilities Manager to approve an agreement with the law firm Stag Liuzza LLC.

The agreement would provide legal services to help the County pursue recovery of costs in a nationwide lawsuit involving damages to public drinking water and wastewater systems caused by per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

While Los Alamos County’s drinking water remains safe, with PFAS levels well below federal standards, County officials recommend legal representation Read More

FBI: Two Zuni Men Sentenced For Armed Assault

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Two Zuni men were sentenced to 33 months in prison each for a violent armed assault involving four victims.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, April 8, 2023, Kamron Kallestewa, 25, and Kaden Panteah, 20, both enrolled members of the Zuni Pueblo, assaulted four individuals at a residence on the Pueblo using firearms. Kallestewa hit two victims in the head and face with his weapon and pointed it at two of the victims. Panteah, meanwhile, aimed and fired his weapon toward the victims.

Upon their release from prison, Kallestewa will Read More

FBI: Pinedale Man Sentenced For Violent Knife Attack

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Pinedale man was sentenced to 37 months in prison for slashing a man’s throat during a confrontation. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, Feb. 17, 2025, Laberto Curley, 25, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, used a knife to slash John Doe’s throat during a physical altercation, resulting in serious bodily injury.

Fortunately, others nearby were able to intervene, disarming Curley and tending to John Doe’s injuries while Curley fled the scene.

Upon his release from prison, Curley will be subject to three years of supervised Read More

FBI: Newcomb Man Pleads Guilty To Assault With Firearm

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Newcomb man pleaded guilty to federal charges arising out of an altercation.

According to court documents, Feb. 28, 2025, James Smiley, Jr., 56, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, entered a residence within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation and pointed a firearm at three men while making threats to kill them without provocation.

Smiley pleaded guilty to one count each of assault with a dangerous weapon and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. At sentencing, Smiley faces up to life in prison. Upon his release from prison, Smiley Read More

FBI: Shiprock Man Pleads Guilty To Leading Massive Illegal Marijuana Operation And Polluting San Juan River

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Dineh Benally of Shiprock has pleaded guilty in federal court to leading a vast illegal marijuana cultivation and distribution ring.

The ring spanned several years, exploited workers, and polluted the San Juan River on tribal lands.

According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established more than 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members.

Benally pleaded guilty to 15 counts:

  • Two drug trafficking conspiracy charges for orchestrating the illegal
Read More

Court Of Appeals Judge Kristopher Houghton Takes Office

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Court of Appeals Judge Kristopher N. Houghton speaking at his public investiture. He is wearing a robe used by the late Justice Charles W. Daniels. Courtesy/Judge Houghton

COURT News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico Court of Appeals Judge Kristopher “Kris” Houghton donned a judicial robe with a special connection to his legal career after taking the oath of office at his public investiture.

The robe had been used by the late Supreme Court Justice Charles W. Daniels, who Judge Houghton clerked for from 2008 to 2010. Randi McGinn, the justice’s widow, lent the robe to Judge Houghton for his investiture and Read More

FBI: Albuquerque Man Indicted For Carjacking, Kidnapping, Fatal Shooting Faces Life In Prison Or Death Penalty

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE —  A federal grand jury has charged Sheliky Sanchez with the Aug. 7, 2025, carjacking resulting in death and kidnapping resulting in death – crimes that under federal law are eligible for the death penalty.

According to court documents, on Aug. 7, 2025, Sanchez, 18, carjacked and kidnapped the driver of a 2022 Ford Escape using a firearm, then intentionally killed the driver during and in relation to those crimes.

A federal grand jury indicted Sanchez for carjacking resulting in death, using a firearm during a violent crime and causing death by firing it, and kidnapping Read More

New Mexico Magistrate Judges Association Elects Officers

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COURT News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Magistrate Judges Association has re-elected its president and other officers for one-year terms and filled three vacancies on its board.

The association also donated $2,000 and collected $1,850 in donations from individual judges for a flooding relief drive in Ruidoso. The $3,850 was used to purchase household items needed by people affected by flooding in the Lincoln County community.

“As judges we serve the people of New Mexico and want to do our part to help the community and residents of Ruidoso recover as quickly as possible from the devastating recent Read More

Governor Announces Eileen Riordan Judicial Appointment

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Judge Eileen P. Riordan

From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced the appointment of Eileen Patricia Riordan as judge of the Fifth Judicial District Court, which serves Chaves, Eddy, and Lea counties.

The appointment takes effect Oct. 11, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of the Honorable Jane Shuler Gray.

Riordan previously served as a district judge for the Fifth Judicial District Court from January 2021 to December 2022. She currently works as an attorney with 575 Law Group, LLC in Carlsbad and served as Carlsbad City Attorney from Read More

Pajarito Law Group Opening Oct. 1 In Downtown Los Alamos

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Pajarito Law Group members, from left, Counsel to the firm Phil Dabney, beloved office cat M&M, and Attorney/Owner of the firm Paul Geisik, in their new law office opening Oct. 1 at 1505 15th St., Suite C. Courtesy/PLG 

By PHILIP DABNEY
Counsel To Pajarito Law Group

I am writing to share exciting news for the Los Alamos community. Effective Oct. 1, Pajarito Law Group will be launching its legal practice at 1505 15th St., Suite C. Paul Geisik and I will carry on the same legal practice we have engaged in through Philip J. Dabney, P.C. Paul will be leading the charge as the owner of Pajarito Law Group, Read More