Police

FBI: Gallup Man Sentenced For Beating/Choking Partner

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Gallup man was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for strangling his dating partner and leaving her with life-threatening injuries.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of March 6, 2024, Victor Badonie, 33, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, assaulted and strangled Jane Doe. During this attack, Badonie menaced Doe in various ways—he punched Doe in her face multiple times, he choked her by pinning her down using his forearm against her neck, he ripped her hair out, and he broke her phone as she tried Read More

FBI: Las Cruces Man Pleads Guilty To Two Bank Robberies

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Photo from PNC Bank Robbery on Feb. 20, 2025. Courtesy/FBI

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Las Cruces man pleaded guilty in federal court to robbing two banks in Feb. 2025.

According to court documents, on Feb. 12, 2025, Daniel Guereca, 29, robbed the U.S. Bank in Los Lunas, New Mexico.  Wearing a black hoodie and a white mask, Guereca passed a handwritten demand note to two tellers before fleeing the bank with at least $6,000 in cash. Guereca then escaped the scene with the assistance of Breanne Gallegos, 29, who was waiting in the getaway vehicle and who had written the demand note that Guereca  Read More

FBI: Peñasco Man Gets Over 21 Years For Fatal Stabbing

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Peñasco man was sentenced to more than 21 years in prison for the stabbing death of another man.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, Dec. 25, 2022, Byron Sanchez, 49, an enrolled member of the Picuris Pueblo, was involved in an altercation with John Doe at his residence in Peñasco, New Mexico, within the exterior boundaries of the Picuris Pueblo.

During the altercation, which occurred while both individuals were under the influence of alcohol, Sanchez fatally stabbed John Doe and placed his body in a bedroom. Law enforcement officials Read More

FBI: Arizona Man Pleads Guilty To Assault On Border Patrol Agents In Las Cruces

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Arizona man pleaded guilty to assaulting a federal officer after ramming a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle while fleeing in a stolen car in Las Cruces.

According to court documents, on March 31, 2025, Christopher Jack Leach, 33, learned there was a warrant for his arrest in Arizona, borrowed a friend’s vehicle under false pretenses, and fled toward Florida with a passenger knowing the vehicle was stolen.

He traveled across state lines while evading law enforcement.

On April 2, 2025, Leach was driving the stolen vehicle through Las Cruces when he saw law enforcement following Read More

FBI: Anthony Man Sentenced For Drug Trafficking, Firearms

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Anthony man was sentenced to 235 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, in July and Aug. 2024, David Amaya, 43, sold methamphetamine to a controlled buyer from a tow-behind trailer on his parents’ property in Anthony, New Mexico. The controlled buys prompted law enforcement to obtain and execute a search warrant on Aug. 22, 2024.

Agents searched the trailer and an attached makeshift bathroom structure, recovering over 1.18 Read More

FBI Albuquerque: California Woman Sentenced For Decades Long Fortune Fraud Scheme

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A California woman was sentenced to 30 months in prison and will be ordered to pay more than $1 million in restitution for orchestrating a decades long advance fee fraud scheme that promised victims access to a nonexistent multi-million-dollar fortune.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, beginning in 2001 and continuing through September 2023, Lanette Bashore orchestrated an advance fee fraud scheme in which she falsely claimed to own or control a multi-million-dollar fortune that was tied up by taxes, legal holds, and other financial Read More

NMSP Announces Graduation Of 106th Recruit Class

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NMSP News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico State Police is proud to announce the graduation of 18 new officers from the 106th New Mexico State Police Recruit Class. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m., Dec. 19, 2025, inside the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy gymnasium, located at 4491 Cerillos Road, Santa Fe, NM.

These graduating recruits have completed months of demanding physical training, academic instruction, scenario-based testing, and field readiness preparation. Their graduation marks the beginning of their service as New Mexico State Police Officers entrusted with protecting Read More

FBI: Shiprock Woman Pleads Guilty To Voluntary Manslaughter In October 2022 Stabbing

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Shiprock woman pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter killing her daughter.

According to court documents, Oct. 24, 2022, Maylene John, 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation at the time of the offense, stabbed her 7-year-old daughter in the heart with a knife, causing her death. John was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the incident.

John pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. At sentencing, she faces up to 15 years in federal prison. Upon her release from prison, John will be subject to three years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Read More

FBI: Shiprock Man Faces 10 Years For Violent Assault

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man has been charged after an alleged assault left a victim seriously injured.

According to court documents. on Nov. 18, 2025, Darrell Joe Ben, Jr., 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly assaulted the victim following a day of drinking. Multiple witnesses contacted emergency services. When officers arrived, they observed the victim with serious injuries consistent with assault and immediately detained Ben at the scene.

The victim was transported to a local hospital and received treatment for serious injuries before being transferred Read More

Public Safety Moment: Slow Down Especially In Ice & Snow!

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COUNTY News:

Despite Thursday morning’s weather and hazardous road conditions, Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) officers conducted 20 traffic stops and issued nearly 30 citations, most of them for speeding.

Several drivers were cited for traveling more than 26 miles per hour – or more – over the posted speed limit.

Excessive speeding on wet or icy roads is extremely dangerous. LAPD reminds all drivers to slow down and exercise caution during their commutes—no matter the weather or road conditions.

Also, when seeing emergency vehicle lights and hearing sirens, pull over!

Emergency crews Read More