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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.
OPERATION LIGHTS OUT — MOTEL WHERE MULTIPLE CRIMES TOOK PLACE — SHUT DOWN
Today the City of Albuquerque shut down Motel 6 in SW Albuquerque. Multiple agencies, including the Governor's Organized Crime Commission, Albuquerque Police, and the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department, partnered to close the hotspot of criminal activity.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman is also Chairman of the Organized Crime Commission.
"This property was a cesspool of criminal activity including homicides, drugs, and prostitution and I'm glad it's shut down" — Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.
www.krqe.com/news/crime/city-closes-problem-motel-in-northwest-albuquerque/
BACKGROUND:
Special Agents with the Organized Crime Commission began investigating Motel 6 more than a year ago, looking through the various calls for service and cases coming into the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office. It was staggering how broad the types of crime were, from violent crime to organized retail theft to auto theft. Agents with the OCC partnered with APD and BCSO to expand the investigation.
OCC Agents have been conducting surveillance on the area with our partners, identifying targets of interest and patterns of criminal activity. Code Enforcement is also vital to ensuring we shut down these hotspots permanently.
"The Organized Crime Commission works with all of our law enforcement partners, and we think Operation Lights Out is just one more example of what we can accomplish when we all work together to combat these criminal organizations," Bregman said.
Check out what the Organized Crime Commission has been up to -- DA Bregman is also the Chairman of the OCC.
Video shows New Mexico's Organized Crime Commission raid 2 cannabis dispensaries
www.kob.com
A video from early 2024 shows the raids of two Albuquerque “Revolution Cannabis” dispensaries accused of selling unlicensed products.UPDATE TUESDAY -- #route66 = MORE THAN 200 ARRESTS.
Police arrest nearly 200 people in Operation Route 66
www.kob.com
In just three weeks, law enforcement agencies across the state arrested nearly 200 people. 137 were wanted criminals.
OPERATION ROUTE 66 -- WEEK 3 = 70 NEW ARRESTS, INCLUDING 5 JUVENILES CHARGED WITH STEALING CARS.
Since Operation Route 66 began 21 days ago, Agents, Officers, and Deputies have arrested 184 people. 137 had warrants.
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, focusing on the International District.
#operationroute66 #Albuquerque #CrimePrevention #PublicSafety #CommunitySafety
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Happening now- tonight at 9 PM- lawmakers are hearing HB134 - proposed changes to our juvenile justice system . The NM Children’s Code has not been updated in decades. If passed - this would mean some consequences and include behavioral health for teens charged with violent crimes.
At 10:00 PM - lawmakers tabled it, and took no action.
MOTHER WHO BRUTALLY BEAT 5-YEAR-OLD SON -- SENTENCED
Today a judge sentenced Natalie Saiz to a decade in the New Mexico Corrections Department.
BACKGROUND:
October 29, 2023, police were called to an ABQ home after a tip that a child was severely injured. When police arrived, they found the little boy with bruising to his face and entire body. The little boy's eyes were swollen shut. In December 2024, Saiz pled guilty to Abandonment of a Child, Abuse of a Child, and Bribery.
MAN WHO BRUTALLY RAPED JOGGER IN THE BOSQUE SENTENCED TO MORE THAN FIVE DECADES IN PRISON.
Today a judge sentenced Gilbert Contreras to 54 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department.
Last fall, a jury convicted Contreras of 2 Counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration Resulting in Great Mental Anguish, Great Bodily Harm, and Kidnapping for a rape that had remained unsolved for three decades.
BACKGROUND:
On November 26, 1994, a woman was jogging in the Bosque when she was dragged into a secluded area where Contreras beat, kicked and brutally raped the victim. DNA linked him to the crime. Our Cold Case Rape Unit known as SAKI (Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Unit) prosecuted this case. The victim has since passed away. Her family was in the courtroom during the trial.
In the last year, the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office Cold Case Rape Unit has convicted 23
people of sexual assault. This Unit is relentless when it comes to getting justice for victims and their family members.
#JusticeForVictims #saki #berncoda
MAN INVOLVED IN MURDER FOR HIRE PLEADS GUILTY TO CRIME — FACES LIFE IN PRISON.
Today Freddy Granger pled guilty to First-Degree Murder for his part in the murder-for-hire killing of Gary Escareno.
Granger shot and killed Escareno in exchange for a car, drugs, and cash. The crime happened near Candelaria and Juan Tabo in May, 2022. Granger faces life in prison for killing Escareno.
He has a long and violent criminal history dating back to 1999.
He is currently serving a 25-year sentence for federal crimes including selling illegal guns and 25 rounds of ammo to undercover ATF Agents.
GRAND JURY INDICTS MAN ON CHARGES OF MAKING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN COUNTERFEIT CASH.
This week, a Grand Jury indicted Anthony Fallon on 98 criminal charges including 28 counts of forgery related to making counterfeit money, and identity theft.
Investigators believe Fallon created more than $7000 in fake cash. Court records show he has a criminal history in New Mexico and Texas. He is currently in custody on multiple criminal charges.