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MAN WHO CRASHED INTO AN APS SCHOOL BUS INJURING CHILDREN — PLEADS NO CONTEST.
Today Mario Perez pled no contest to 5 counts of reckless driving resulting in great bodily harm.
BACKGROUND:
February 23, 2022, Perez was speeding near Gibson and Messina when he crashed into an Albuquerque Public School Bus. Multiple children were injured.
Perez was scheduled for a bench trial today, but stopped and pled no contest.
He faces up to 15 years in the Department of Corrections.
Our Metropolitan Court Staff has been busy! Here's what they did in November and what's ahead this month.
#MetropolitanCourt #CourtUpdates #publicservice #novemberrecap
SENTENCED --
WOMAN CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE CHILD ABUSE RESULTING IN DEATH — SENTENCED
A judge sentenced Gloria Tesillo to 18 years in the Department of Corrections.
In May, a jury convicted Gloria Tesillo of First Degree Child Abuse Resulting in Death and Third Degree Child Abuse. It took jurors less than 30 minutes to reach a verdict.
BACKGROUND:
On July 16, 2023, Tesillo stayed and worked at the Days Inn. Her 6-month-old twins and their father were also staying there.
When Tesillo arrived back to the hotel room, one of the twins was unconscious and not breathing. Lifesaving measures were unsuccessful and the child was pronounced deceased. The room itself was littered with drug paraphernalia and smelled like Fentanyl.
OMI concluded the cause of death was the toxic effect of Meth.
The father was later interviewed and admitted to watching the children and stated that he had used fentanyl and passed out. When he woke up the child was dead. A hair follicle test on the surviving twin showed the baby tested positive for cocaine, fentanyl, cannabis, methamphetamine, and benzodiazepines.
It took jurors less than 30 minutes to reach their verdict.
Please have a safe and happy holiday!
The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office will be closed Thursday and Friday.
CONVICTED -- JURY CONVICTS MAN OF 1994 COLD CASE RAPE OF JOGGER IN THE BOSQUE - ON THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BRUTAL CRIME --
Today a jury convicted Gilbert Contreras of 2 Counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration Resulting in Great Mental Anguish, Great Bodily Harm, and Kidnapping.
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 SAKI Unit, also known as Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Unit prosecuted this case. The victim has since passed away. Her family was in the courtroom during this trial. Prosecutors hope this brings some sort of peace and closure to the family and the trauma that this caused them for the last 30 years.
Contreras is facing up to 72 years in the Department of Corrections.
"It doesn't matter how old the case is - we will be relentless in our pursuit of Justice. I'm very proud of the prosecutors who never give up." -- Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.
Today a jury found Brandon Rafool guilty of two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon with a Firearm Enhancement. Rafool claimed that he was trying to make a citizen's arrest when he pulled up to a car wash, threatened two individuals, and discharged his firearm. Rafool claimed that he thought they were stealing from the car wash. One of the victims was the owner of the business.
Rafool faces more than a dozen years in the Department of Corrections for his crimes. 
This office has a ZERO tolerance policy when it comes to guns on school property.....
La Cueva freshman brings gun to school for self-defense
www.koat.com
Attorney claims teen was being bullied.
JURY CONVICTS MAN OF BEATING WOMAN WITH A BOARD.
Late this afternoon, a jury convicted Efren Cordova-Ramirez of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest.
BACKGROUND-
June 12, 2020 he repeatedly hit a woman with a 2 x 4 board so hard the board broke in half. The victim survived, but was seriously injured.
Cordova-Ramirez faces a dozen years in prison. Sentencing will take place at a later date.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman had a very thought-provoking and meaningful conversation with the Albuquerque High Principal’s Advisory Council today. These young leaders shared their concerns and ideas on how to address youth gun violence and how the District Attorney’s Office can best communicate the dangers of firearms and drug use to teens in Bernalillo County. Our future is in good hands with this amazing group at the helm!
#YouthLeadership #GunViolencePrevention #CommunityEngagement #DAOffice #TeenAdvocacy #Albuquerque #PublicSafety #YouthEmpowerment
TEEN CHARGED WITH BRINGING SEMI-AUTOMATIC WEAPON TO SCHOOL — DETAINED FOR NOW -
Today a judge ruled a 14-year-old freshman from La Cueva High School will remain in custody as his case goes through the judicial process. Investigators say last Friday, the teen brought a semi-automatic handgun to school. Investigators believe the firearm was loaded.
The judge also ruled when an ankle monitor becomes available the teen might be released from the juvenile detention facility.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office has a ZERO tolerance policy when it comes to guns on school property — and has gone to great lengths to educate students about the dangers and consequences for people who break that law.