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REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE --
Today UNM Law School Students were sworn in at Metropolitan Court. The students can practice misdemeanor criminal cases under the supervision of licensed attorneys from our office.
"We are excited that the UNM School of Law brought this program back. This is an opportunity for law school students to get hands-on experience in a courtroom, prosecuting DWI and Domestic Violence cases. It's beneficial to students and the community," said Adjunct Law Professor and Supervising Attorney of the Metro Division Elizabeth Bates with the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office.
#UNMLaw #LawStudents #LegalExperience #CourtroomPractice #CriminalLaw
FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING --
New Mexico is a hotspot for human trafficking, including forced labor and sex trafficking. Today Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman is meeting with Border Patrol officers in Santa Teresa, discussing operations to combat human trafficking in our state. DA Bregman is also Chairman of the New Mexico Organized Crime Commission.
#humantrafficking #stoptrafficking #NewMexico #nmjustice #humanrights #CrimePrevention
WOMAN WHO KILLED DAUGHTER'S EX-BOYFRIEND IN DOWNTOWN ABQ — PLEADS GUILTY.
Today Elizabeth Ortiz-Chavez pled guilty to Second-Degree Murder.
March 4, 2022, she shot and killed Josue Ruiz outside a downtown restaurant.
Ortiz-Chavez tried to blame her son for the murder because he's a juvenile and she believed he would face a lesser sentence.
Ortiez-Chavez faces 18 years in the Department of Corrections.
WORKING TOGETHER TO FIGHT CRIME --
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman is also Chairman of the NM Organized Crime Commission.
This week, Bregman met with Taos Pueblo Governor Edwin Concha and his staff to discuss collaborating to address fentanyl and human trafficking in New Mexico.
#humantrafficking #PublicSafety #fentanylawareness #CommunityCollaboration
JUDGE SENTENCES 16-YEAR-OLD WHO RAN RED LIGHT, KILLING HIS GIRLFRIEND TO MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT ALLOWED UNDER NM LAW.
Tuesday, a juvenile court judge sentenced a 16-year-old to two years in the Youth Diagnostic and Development Center. That is the maximum punishment allowed under New Mexico law.
BACKGROUND:
On April 21, 2024, the teen was driving a four-wheeler on the streets of Albuquerque when he ran through a red light at Central and Yucca SW. The teen crashed the four-wheeler into a truck. His girlfriend, 15-year-old Esmeralda Acuna was a passenger in the four-wheeler and died in the crash. The 16-year-old driver admitted to vehicular homicide.
16-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH SHOOTING DEATH OF 15-YEAR-OLD ON NEW YEAR'S EVE — WILL REMAIN IN CUSTODY.
A judge ruled a teen charged in connection with the murder of 15-year-old Manuel Ortega will be detained as he goes through the judicial process.
Police say that on New Year's Eve, two suspects met Ortega on the Telegram app and agreed to meet at a park in Southwest Albuquerque.
One of the teens pulled out a gun and shot Ortega, killing him.
a 17-year-old is also in custody in connection with this case. Both suspects are charged with an open count of murder, armed robbery, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy.
MAN CONVICTED OF RAPING CHILD AT ABQ CEMETERY SENTENCED TO 57 YEARS IN PRISON -
Today a judge sentenced Reynaldo Sandoval to 57 years in the Department of Corrections.
In October, a jury convicted Sandoval of three counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration with a child under 13, one count of Criminal Sexual Contact with a child under 13, and one count of Bribery.
On February 9, 2020, Sandoval raped a young family member at a Northeast Albuquerque cemetery.
Right now -- there are 21 juveniles in custody in Bernalillo County who are charged with murder.
Please take a look at what our office is working on when it comes to teens and crime...
TEEN CHARGED WITH SHOOTING AND KILLING 15-YEAR-OLD BOY ON NEW YEAR'S EVE — WILL REMAIN IN CUSTODY.
Today a judge ruled a 17-year-old charged with the shooting death of 15-year-old Manuel Ortega will be detained as he goes through the judicial process.
The shooting happened on New Year's Eve at a park in Southwest Albuquerque. Investigators say the victim and another teen agreed to meet the suspects after exchanging information on the App, Telegram.
A 16-year-old is also charged in connection with Ortega's murder. The two teen suspects are charged with an open count of murder, armed robbery, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy.
The other juvenile in this case is due in court tomorrow.
WARRANT ENFORCEMENT --
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, swearing in our Special Agents with the Crime Strategies Unit. Our Agents have been busy arresting violent suspects who ignore the law. In 2024, they arrested 150 fugitives, participated in 40 operations, and partnered with other law enforcement to capture 28 homicide suspects.
#lawenforcement #PublicSafety #DistrictAttorney #CommunitySafety #crimestrategies
For Immediate Release
January 13, 2025
After a thorough review of the evidence, the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office has submitted charges against Otero County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Diaz for First-Degree Murder.
On June 25, 2024, 17-year-old Elijah Hadley walked along U.S. Highway 70 near mile marker 240. Deputy Jacob Diaz was responding to a welfare check on Hadley when Deputy Diaz opened fire, killing Hadley.