Police

Legislative Roundup: 16 Days Left In Session

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Jessica Leija tears up a little as she talks about her son, Enrique Leija, who was murdered in 2021, during a Remembrance Memorial for Homicide Survivors hosted by New Mexico Crusaders for Justice in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. Leija was one of many who attended the memorial to speak of their deceased loved ones and try to persuade policymakers to pass tougher laws against violent offenders. Jim Weber/The New Mexican

The Santa Fe New Mexican:

Getting cheesy: Senators spent 20 minutes on the floor Tuesday afternoon discussing their connections to Southwest Cheese — a Clovis Read More

County Employee Charged In Death Of Taos Man

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Staff Report

Los Alamos County Facilities Manager Vicente Martinez, date of birth (DOB) 1980, has been charged with five criminal counts in an incident in Ranchos De Taos that resulted in great bodily injury to Adelio Issac Fernandez, DOB 1970, and the death of his brother Abraham Fernandez, DOB 1972.

Martinez is facing the following:

  • Count #1 – Murder in the 1st degree (willful and deliberate);
  • Count #2 – Aggravated battery (use of a deadly weapon);
  • Count #3 – Aggravated battery (use of a deadly weapon);
  • Count #4 – Aggravated assault (use of a deadly weapon); and
  • Count #5 – Aggravated assault (use
Read More

Dannemann: Immigrant Prisons Are Immoral

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By Merilee Dannemann
Triple Spaced Again
© 2026 by Merilee Dannemann

Some things simply should not be done by a for profit business. It’s inconsistent. It’s illogical.

One of those things is running a prison. If you are in business for profit, your job is making money for the owners of the business. If you are running a prison, the people you work with are not customers – they are prisoners. So it is only logical that you will save money by providing no more service than you have to. Another way of saying that is that you will do whatever you can get away with. If that means providing spoiled food or no food Read More

Only Bail Proposal Of Session Shot Down In ‘Kill Committee’

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A view of the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo

By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A proposal to overhaul pretrial release in New Mexico—the only such measure introduced so far in the 30-day session, despite it being a much-discussed topic—is being held captive in committee.

The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee, known as the “kill committee” due to its reputation for voting down Republican bills, tabled a proposed constitutional amendment Thursday to ask voters whether judges should be given more leeway in deciding if a criminal defendant needs to be held behind bars. Read More

State Police Checkpoints, Saturation Patrols Across State During February

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NMSP News:

State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols; and registration, insurance, and driver’s license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties during February 2026.

We are bringing awareness to these events to reduce impaired driving-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising.

These checkpoints are helping to change society’s attitude about driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

Hundreds of lives could be saved each year if every driver had the courage to make the right Read More

FBI: Third Defendant Charged In September 2025 School Zone Shooting In Las Cruces

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Handgun located on John Anthony Orta on Sept. 6, 2025, in Las Cruces. He has been charged federally with possession of a firearm in a school zone. He faces up to five years in prison. Courtesy/FBI

The AR-15 style pistol located on Steven Mendoza on Sept. 6, 2025, in Las Cruces. He has been charged federally with possession of a firearm in a school zone. His trial is pending. Courtesy/FBI

Instagram photo of Luis Angel Ruiz with what appears to be the same AR-15 style piston recovered from Steven Mendoza Sept. 6, 2025, in Las Cruces. Ruiz was charged Sept. 24, 2025, with discharging a firearm in a school

Read More

FBI: Shiprock Man Gets 78 Months In Prison For Unlawfully Possessing Loaded Shotgun

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Shiprock man was sentenced to 78 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a loaded shotgun, which he obtained by stealing and attempting to sell it.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, Aug. 10, 2022, Crandall Craig Martin, 42, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, stole a loaded firearm with the intention of trading it for alcohol or money to buy alcohol. As both a previously convicted felon and misdemeanant convicted of a crime of domestic violence, Martin was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Martin subsequently Read More

FBI: Albuquerque Man Charged After FBI Finds Modified Hand Grenade In His Home

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man has been federally charged with unlawfully possessing an improvised explosive device following the discovery of a modified hand grenade in his home.

According to court documents, on Dec. 31, 2025, the Albuquerque Police Department responded to a residence in northwest Albuquerque after the resident, Jeff Bramlett, 46, requested medical assistance. While assisting at the residence, officers observed what appeared to be hand grenades and requested assistance from the FBI’s Albuquerque Special Agent Bomb Technicians.

Agents located two devices, Read More

Los Alamos Police Chief Issues Response To Questions From Community Regarding County Immigration Policy

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By Police Chief Dino Sgambellone
Los Alamos Police Department

The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) has received questions from some members of the community regarding our immigration policy. Our policy has remained consistent. LAPD will continue to work with all our federal partners to provide assistance as prescribed by law, or as a matter of public and/or officer safety. 

Specific to immigration, LAPD has a responsibility to properly identify and make Consular notification of any foreign citizen taken into custody in accordance with law and international treaties. However, victims Read More

Los Alamos 2025 Crime Statistics Reflect 20% Drop

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By Chief Dino Sgambellone
Los Alamos Police Department

Overall, crime reported to police in all categories fell 20%, with Crimes Against Persons increasing from 47 to 56, Crimes Against Property decreasing from 153 to 110, and Crimes Against Society decreasing from 22 to 12. 

Consistent with crime reported to police in 2024, larceny/theft and fraud cases continue to drive higher crime rates within the community. 

Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant in their neighborhoods and should secure personal belongings, vehicles, and residences. Please feel free to contact the Police Department Read More