Pretrial Detention Motions
Data last updated August 31, 2026
** Judge Chavez was sworn in March of 2025
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HONORING THE FALLEN 🇺🇸
Today, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman joined community leaders and supporters at a 100 Club luncheon honoring the brave law enforcement officers and firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
The 100 Club of New Mexico provides financial and other assistance to the families of sworn law enforcement officers and firefighters who lose their lives in the line of duty.
We are grateful for those who put their lives on the line to protect our communities — and we will never forget those who gave everything in service to others. 🇺🇸
MAN WHO STRUCK INNOCENT BYSTANDER DURING ROAD RAGE INCIDENT, LEAVING HER PARALYZED, CONVICTED
Today, a jury convicted Austin Kevin Jones of Great Bodily Injury by Vehicle by Reckless Driving.
BACKGROUND:
The crime happened in September 2024 at Girard Boulevard and Gibson Boulevard.
Two muscle cars were drag racing near Jones as they traveled down Girard. Jones became angry and attempted to catch up to them.
In doing so, Jones struck an innocent bystander who was driving another vehicle.
The victim was just 19 years old. She suffered catastrophic injuries that left her paralyzed.
The case was prosecuted by Guin Ice and Carmen Gutierrez.
District Attorney Sam Bregman:
“This young woman was simply driving her car when someone else’s reckless actions changed her life forever. There is nothing more important than holding people accountable when their dangerous choices cause this kind of devastating harm. I am grateful to Guin Ice and Carmen Gutierrez for their hard work in securing this conviction, and we will continue to fight for victims and pursue justice.”
DRUG TRAFFICKER CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER FOR KIDNAPPING, TORTURING, THEN SETTING REMAINS ON FIRE --
VIDEO: This is lapel-camera footage from a police officer who discovered the defendants trying to burn evidence outside the shed where the crime happened. The video is not graphic.
Last week, a jury convicted Virginia Nicasio of first-degree murder for the 2024 beating death of Antonio Taylor in Northwest Albuquerque.
Nicasio, a drug trafficker, was angry at Taylor for stealing a Bose speaker and other items from her home. She wanted to make an example of him and ordered Preston Ball to take Taylor to a shed behind her duplex, where he was beaten and tortured.
Taylor’s charred remains were later found inside a stolen vehicle on Fourth Street.
This was a brutal and calculated killing. A jury has now held Virginia Nicasio accountable for first-degree murder.
MAN WHO SEXUALLY ABUSED 11-YEAR-OLD BOY SENTENCED TO 22 YEARS IN PRISON
Today, a judge sentenced Jesse Lopez to 22 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department for sexually abusing an 11-year-old boy.
In 2024, Lopez groomed the child using child sexual abuse material before sexually abusing him at least twice.
The child bravely disclosed the abuse to another adult, who contacted Albuquerque Police. During the investigation, police discovered violent child sexual abuse material on Lopez’s electronic devices.
Lopez later confessed to sexually abusing the boy. Police did not discover a video of the abuse of the 11-year-old.
In April, Lopez pleaded guilty to two counts of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor and one count of Sexual Exploitation of Children by Manufacturing.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office will continue to fight for justice for victims of sexual abuse and hold accountable those who prey on children.
www.abqjournal.com/news/dashboard-tracks-judicial-rulings-on-pretrial-detention-motions/3128319
New dashboard spotlights pretrial detention disparities
www.abqjournal.com
Bernalillo County DA Sam Bregman’s data tool draws criticism from courts and public defenders over missing context.
🐾🎈 Hi everyone! Woodstock and Rosie here! 🎈🐾
We’re the support pups for the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, and we’re excited to invite you to come see us at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta!
📍 Find us at the Community Booth at the north end of the park.
Stop by to meet us, learn more about the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, and take in the breathtaking sight of hundreds of beautiful balloons filling the New Mexico sky! 🎈
We’ll be here, ready to say hi, make new friends! 🐶❤️
Come see us — we can’t wait to meet you!
We stand with survivors, support victims, and remain committed to holding offenders accountable.
You are not alone. We see you. We hear you.
JURY CONVICTS WOMAN OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER FOR TORTURE AND BEATING OF ALBUQUERQUE MAN
Today, a jury convicted Virginia Nicasio of First-Degree murder in the brutal killing of Antonio Taylor In 2024.
Nicasio was involved in a drug operation and believed Taylor had stolen something from her. She then convinced Preston Ball to kidnap, torture and beat Taylor. Ball previously pleaded guilty for his role in the crime.
Nicasio faces a minimum of 30 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department.
The case was prosecuted by Christine Jablonsky and Collin Brennan.
District Attorney Sam Bregman:
“Our prosecutors are relentless and never give up, especially in a brutal case like this one. We remain committed to pursuing justice for victims and holding those responsible for violent crimes accountable.”
COUPLE WHO SEVERELY BEAT CHILD SENTENCED
Yesterday, a judge sentenced Chance Martinez to 20 years and Felicia Martinez to 12 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department.
Between November 2024 and February 2025, Chance and Felicia Martinez severely abused a 4-year-old child. Investigators learned that the victim was covered in bruises and had suffered a broken rib, strangulation and whip marks, as well as abrasions and scars from head to toe.
In March, Felicia Martinez pleaded guilty to two counts of Abandonment of a Child Resulting in Great Bodily Harm (Child Under 13) and two counts of Child Abuse (Recklessly Caused).
In April, Chance Martinez pleaded guilty to three counts of Abandonment of a Child Resulting in Great Bodily Harm (Child Under 13).
September 25, 2026
NM ORGANIZED CRIME COMMISSION PARTNERS IN MAJOR DRUG BUST -
Investigation uncovers illegal cannabis operation in Torrance County
Agents seize approximately 6,300 illegal cannabis plants
SANTA FE – The Regulation and Licensing Department’s Enforcement Bureau and the New Mexico Organized Crime Commission executed a search warrant at a large-scale illegal cannabis farm in Torrance County on Thursday, resulting in the seizure and destruction of an estimated 6,300 illegal cannabis plants, weighing 21,000 pounds.
The Enforcement Bureau received information about a possible illegal cannabis grow at 102 Howell Road in Estancia. Throughout the two-month investigation, special agents with the Bureau observed ongoing cannabis activity at the location. The Seventh Judicial District Court issued a search warrant and order to obtain and seize evidence, which was completed Thursday without incident.
During the search, agents observed 21 “hoop houses” or greenhouses, each filled with an estimated 300 fully mature cannabis plants. Agents carried out evidence collection duties and processed the plants for further destruction. A New Mexico State Police hazmat technician assisted in identifying potentially hazardous materials at the site.
“This investigation should serve as a warning to individuals entering New Mexico with plans to establish illegal cannabis farms,” said RLD Enforcement Bureau Chief Vince Mares. “We will continue to investigate illegal cannabis cultivation operations throughout New Mexico and will not tolerate unlicensed facilities that disregard the land, resources, or consumer safety.”
The case remains ongoing. The RLD Enforcement Bureau is working with prosecutors in the New Mexico Organized Crime Commission to pursue criminal charges.
“The Organized Crime Commission stands ready and prepared to assist any law enforcement agency in New Mexico with detecting and dismantling transnational criminal organizations in our state. Operations like this help disrupt and deter organized criminal activity trying to take root in New Mexico,” Organized Crime Commission Chairman Sam Bregman said. “Organized crime requires an organized, coordinated response from the state and I am proud of the work the OCC, RLD Enforcement Bureau, and NMSP did to make that happen.”