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CONGRATULATIONS!
Today, the New Mexico State Police welcomed the 104th Recruit Class into the NMSP family!
“It was an honor to watch these men and women start a new journey in their lives. Being a police officer is the hardest job there is. We’re thankful these brave officers have stepped up to serve and protect the people of New Mexico.”
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman
A MAN WHO VIOLATED HIS PROBATION WILL SPEND 14.5 YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.
This week, a judge ruled that Dustin Smith will spend 14.5 years in the Department of Corrections after he violated the terms of his probation.
In August 2023 he pled guilty to Aggravated Burglary (Deadly Weapon).
In June 2024, a judge sentenced Smith to 15 years suspended, meaning he was out of custody but on supervised probation.
In August 2024, he failed to report to his probation officer and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
That same month, authorities arrested him and charged Smith with Possession of a Controlled Substance.
As a result, this week, a judge sentenced Smith to 14.5 years in prison.
TEEN PLEADS GUILTY TO FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND ASSAULTING CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS --
This week, Jacob Lovato pled guilty to First-Degree Murder for the shooting death of Gabriel Gurule. The murder happened on April 21, 2023, when Lovato killed Gurule and stole his firearm.
Lovato, now 18, was held at a juvenile detention facility in Albuquerque. He was moved to the Metropolitan Detention Center earlier this month after he assaulted correctional officers.
This week, he also pled guilty to two counts of Battery on a Peace Officer.
Lovato is facing up to 25 years in the Department of Corrections.
ONE OF THE MEN CONVICTED FOR HIS ROLE IN THE DEATH OF BELOVED ABQ HUSBAND, FATHER, AND BARTENDER — WILL RETURN TO PRISON AFTER HE VIOLATED PROBATION.
Christopher Rodriguez will spend an additional 16.5 years in the Department of Corrections.
Rodriguez was a teenager when he took part in the shooting death of Steven Gerecke in 2015. In 2017, Rodriguez was sentenced to 14 years behind bars for multiple crimes including Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon), Residential Burglary, and Burglary of a Vehicle.
He was released from prison at the end of 2023. In March 2024, Probation Officers checked on Rodriguez at his apartment and found him associating with another convicted felon and a known drug user.
COUPLE CHARGED WITH KILLING 15-YEAR-OLD AT A LAUNDROMAT -- DETAINED.
A judge ruled that Oscar Orozco and Jamel Coriz will remain in custody as their cases proceed through the judicial process.
Police say last week, Coriz got into an argument that turned into a physical fight over the use of a washing machine with the 15-year-old victim and two other teens.
They say Coriz left, then returned with 39-year-old Orozco who chased the teen into the parking lot and shot him in the back, then hit him.
Both Orozco and Coriz are charged with murder and conspiracy to commit First-Degree Murder.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman is also Chairman of the Organized Crime Commission. The OCC has been partnering with other law-enforcement to address crime along the border that impacts our entire state. Check out this report…. 
New Mexico Organized Crime Commission chairman speaks on the success of "Operation Disruption"
kvia.com
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Sam Bregman, Bernalillo County District Attorney and chairman of the New Mexico Organized Crime Commission (OCC), was present in Las Cruces on Friday, October 13, wher...
JURY FINDS MAN GUILTY OF RUNNING OVER A 60-YEAR-OLD MAN, BREAKING BOTH HIS LEGS ---
Today a jury convicted Jose Rodriguez-Gonzales of Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon) and Knowingly leaving the Scene of an Accident (Great Bodily Harm).
The crime happened November 4, 2023, in the parking lot of an Albuquerque Grocery store.
The 60-year-old victim suffered two broken legs, a broken wrist, and a broken ankle.
Rodriguez-Gonzales faces six years in prison, then will likely be deported.
CONGRATULATIONS!
We have a new member of our staff! Jake was just certified to comfort victims of crime...especially children. Welcome to the team, Jake!
Also -- Woodstock and Rosie just got recertified. All the pups comfort crime victims...and sometimes our staff too. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
#comfortdogs #victimsupport #therapydogs #animalassistedtherapy #teamwelcome
MAN CONNECTED TO MORE THAN A HALF DOZEN COLD CASE RAPES IN ALBUQUERQUE — SENTENCED TO 270 YEARS IN PRISON.
Today a judge sentenced Edward Duran to the maximum sentence possible, 270 years in the Department of Corrections.
In court today, multiple victims spoke, saying Duran caused them a lifetime of trauma and fear — that they never felt safe after their sexual assaults.
The son of one of the victims who is no longer living also told the court how much his mother suffered because of Duran.
BACKGROUND:
As rape kits were finally being tested in Bernalillo County, DNA linked Edward Duran to 8 victims. The crimes happened from 1990 to 1997 when Duran was on sexual offender probation for an attempted rape in 1989.
In May 2024 the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Cold Case Rape Team known as SAKI/ Sexual Assault Kit Initiative tried Duran for 6 of the 8 rapes. Two of the 8 victims were unable to move forward with their cases because of health issues. Duran stopped his trial and pled No Contest to 6 of the sexual assaults.
Special Thanks to our SAKI Prosecutors, Jack Jacks, Lisa Trabaudo, and the entire team that worked on this horrific case.
"The work this team does is incredible. With their tireless dedication, we hope this gives some peace to Duran's victims. Nothing can take away the years of trauma they have suffered — but now they know the man responsible for their pain can never hurt anyone again." Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman