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JURY CONVICTS MAN OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER AFTER STALKING EX-GIRLFRIEND THEN KILLING HER FRIEND
Today a jury convicted Chase Brandon Cuffie of Second-Degree Murder and 3 counts of Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon).
The murder happened in July, 2023 at an apartment complex in northwest Albuquerque. Cuffie hid in his ex-girlfriend’s apartment after stalking her for several months. He then forced her and her friends inside the apartment. When the victim, Craig Dixon ran for the door, Cuffie shot him multiple times, killing Dixon.
Cuffie faces over 33 years in the Department of Corrections. Sentencing will take place at a later date.
OPERATION ROUTE 66 -- WORKING TO FIGHT CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITY -
SO FAR - WE'VE ARRESTED 300 PEOPLE, INCLUDING FIVE PEOPLE CONNECTED TO HOMICIDES.
Operation Route 66 is a collaborative effort with the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office, the New Mexico State Police, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, and the New Mexico Corrections Department's Probation and Parole Division. The goal is to fight crime in the Albuquerque area, with a current focus on the International District.
Neighbors see difference with Operation Route 66 in International District
www.kob.com
Agencies are in week six of Operation Route 66 to clean up the Central Avenue corridor. They've made more than 300 hundred arrests.
MAN WHO RAPED 10-YEAR-OLD LITTLE GIRL IN 1992 — SENTENCED TO NEARLY TWO DECADES IN PRISON
Today a judge sentenced Freddy Valenzuela to 18 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department. In 1992, the little girl was walking in her neighborhood in the middle of the day, when Valenzuela grabbed her, pulled her into an alley, threatened to kill her, then raped the child.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Cold Case Rape Unit, also known as the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) worked on this case. DNA taken from a rape kit matched Valenzuela. The kit was tested in 2020, years after the crime as the rape kit backlog was finally being cleared. Last December, Valenzuela pled guilty to raping the little girl.
The victim passed away in 2019. Her family wanted to move forward with this case and were in court today to speak on her behalf.
"The victim's family thanked us for not giving up and that we fought to see it through," said SAKI Prosecutor Jack Bennett Jacks
"This victim suffered a lifetime of trauma because of Valenzuela. We sincerely hope today's sentence brings some closure and justice for her family. Our SAKI Team is relentless when it comes to fighting for these victims — no matter how old these cases are." Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman
You can have behavioral health treatment AND consequences for juveniles who commit violent crimes. To do nothing is unacceptable…..  please watch this report. 
2025 Legislative Session: Juvenile crime failures in New Mexico
gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com
"They did nothing to address juvenile crime. That's alarming. I think it's alarming to the citizens of New Mexico," Bernalillo County District Attorney told KOAT.
MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING HIS FORMER SEX PARTNER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
Today a judge sentenced Jose Mendoza Espinoza to life in the New Mexico Corrections Department, plus 12 additional years for tampering with evidence.
BACKGROUND:
In February, a jury convicted Jose Mendoza Espinoza of First-Degree Murder and 4 counts of Tampering with Evidence.
In September 2023 Mendoza Espinoza brutally murdered 35-year-old Sherlyn Marjorie, a transgender woman he had been in a sexual relationship with for years.
Mendoza Espinoza told investigators he committed the crime because he claimed the victim was demanding money and threatened to tell Mendoza Espinoza's family about the ongoing affair.
Marjorie's friends found her car, then days later discovered her body in a ditch.
OPERATION ROUTE 66 - WEEK 5
Since Operation Route 66 began five weeks ago, law enforcement arrested more than 300 people.
200 of those arrested had warrants.
Five of those suspects were wanted in connection with homicides.
Deputies, Agents, and Officers have seized:
19 guns
20 stolen vehicles
Operation Route 66 is a collaborative effort with the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office, the New Mexico State Police, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, and the New Mexico Corrections Department's Probation and Parole Division. The goal is to fight crime in the Albuquerque area, with a current focus on the International District.
#operationroute66 #lawenforcement #publicsafety #CommunitySafety #policecollaboration
JURY CONVICTS MAN OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN REVENGE KILLING.
Today a jury convicted Theodore Toney of First-Degree Murder for the shooting death of Kenneth Ellis.
The crime happened on April 6, 2024, at a dance event in the 500 block of San Pedro in NE Albuquerque.
Investigators say Toney committed the murder because Ellis testified against Toney's son in a 2016 homicide trial.
Theodore Toney made threats against Ellis and his family after his testimony.
Toney now faces life in prison.
THIRD TEEN INVOLVED IN SHOOTING DEATH OF 5-YEAR-OLD CHILD -- SENTENCED
This afternoon, a judge sentenced Yahir Carballo to 16 years in prison.
August 13, 2023, Carballo and four other teens were in stolen vehicles when they drove by a mobile home park in southwest Albuquerque and opened fire.
5-year-old Galilea Samaniego was sleeping inside the home when she was shot and killed. She was not their intended target.
Carballo tried to shoot at the home, but his gun jammed.
15-YEAR-OLD INVOLVED IN THE DRIVE-BY SHOOTING DEATH OF 5-YEAR-OLD LITTLE GIRL -- SENTENCED.
Today a judge sentenced Alan Ramirez to 20 years in the New Mexico Department of Corrections.
Police say that on August 13, 2023, Ramirez and four other teens, including Alan's brother, stole two cars and then drove to a mobile home park in southwest Albuquerque.
The teens shot at a unit, killing 5-year-old Galilea Samaniego who was sleeping inside the home.
In December, Ramirez who is now 17, pled guilty to First-Degree Murder last December. He was 15 at the time of the murder. Today he was sentenced as an adult.
ONE OF 5 TEENS INVOLVED IN THE DRIVE-BY SHOOTING DEATH OF 5-YEAR-OLD LITTLE GIRL -- SENTENCED.
Today a judge sentenced Jose Ramirez to 20 years in the New Mexico Department of Corrections.
Police say that on August 13, 2023, Ramirez and four other teens stole two cars and then drove to a mobile home park in southwest Albuquerque.
The teens, including Ramirez, shot at a unit, killing 5-year-old Galilea Samaniego as she was sleeping.
Ramirez pled guilty to First-Degree Murder last December. He was 17 at the time of the murder. Today he was sentenced as an adult.
For Immediate Release
March 14, 2025
MURDER CASE INVOLVING OTERO COUNTY DEPUTY TO PROCEED --
District Court Judge Angie Schneider ruled there was probable cause (enough evidence) to proceed with First-Degree murder charges against Otero County Deputy Jacob Diaz-Austin.
Thursday, in Alamogordo, New Mexico, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, and Chief Deputy District Attorney Natalie Lyon presented evidence in court that included video, photos, and testimony.