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JURY CONVICTS MAN OF SPEEDING, DRIVING DRUNK, HITTING ANOTHER DRIVER HEAD-ON, KILLING HIM.
Today, a jury convicted Edgar Mendoza Silva of Homicide by Vehicle (Reckless Driving) and Homicide by Vehicle (DWI).
Background:
On August 18, 2024, Mendoza Silva was speeding along Central Avenue near 47th Street when he lost control of his truck. He crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a vehicle driven by Carlos Lucero. Lucero died at the scene.
Toxicology reports showed that Mendoza Silva had alcohol, cocaine, and marijuana in his system at the time of the crash.
Mendoza Silva faces the maximum penalty under New Mexico law—up to 15 years in prison. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
Deputy District Attorney Guin Ice and Assistant District Attorney Katie Feigenbaum prosecuted the case.
JUDGE SENTENCED MAN TO 18 YEARS IN PRISON FOR MURDER OF ABQ WOMAN. HE'S ALREADY SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE FOR MURDER OF GIRLFRIEND DAYS EARLIER.
This week, a judge has sentenced Alexander Ortiz to 18 years in prison for the 2024 murder of Nicole Maldonado in Albuquerque.
The shooting happened on January 17, 2024, at a convenience store along Central Avenue. Ortiz pleaded no contest earlier this year to Second-Degree Murder with a firearm enhancement.
This marks the second murder conviction tied to Ortiz. Just six days earlier, on January 11, 2024, he shot and killed his girlfriend, Alianna Farfan, at their apartment following an argument. In 2025, Ortiz was convicted of First-Degree Murder in that case and is currently serving a life sentence.
While the new 18-year sentence adds to his record, Ortiz will serve his life sentence.
Congratulations, Gloria! 🎉
We’re proud to recognize Gloria Reynolds as the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office Support Staff of the Year!
With over 25,000 cases coming through our office each year, Gloria plays a vital role in keeping everything running smoothly—managing incoming cases with dedication and care.
Thank you for your hard work and commitment to justice.
CONGRATULATIONS TROY!
Deputy District Attorney Troy Gray has been selected as Prosecutor of the Year for Bernalillo County by the New Mexico District Attorney’s Association.
As the head of one of the busiest divisions in the office—the Juvenile Division—Troy brings more than two decades of dedicated service with the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office. His deep institutional knowledge and steady leadership have made a lasting impact on the office and the community it serves.
“I am proud to be a prosecutor and to represent the citizens of the State of New Mexico” — Troy Gray
Please join us in congratulating DDA Troy Gray on this well-deserved recognition!
Congratulations to Marcus Romero and Lauren Carlsen from the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office!
Recognized as New Mexico District Attorneys’ Association Statewide Winners:
🏆 Community Service Prosecutor – Marcus Romero
🏆 Victim Advocate of the Year – Lauren Carlsen
Selected from across the entire state of New Mexico—an incredible achievement!
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!
BERNALILLO COUNTY DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DAVID WAYMIRE RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The State Bar of New Mexico has selected longtime prosecutor David Waymire as the recipient of its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award.
This award honors attorneys who have spent their careers standing up for victims and holding offenders accountable—and that’s exactly what Waymire has done.
Over the years, he has convicted multiple serial killers and successfully prosecuted some of the most serious and complex cases in the community. His work includes convicting a man who beat a young girl with a shovel, nearly killing her; a woman who murdered her husband and buried him in the backyard; and a teen who murdered his ex-girlfriend and her mother in their home.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman shared how proud he is of Waymire, praising the impact he has had over the years and the countless lives he has helped through his work.
We are so proud of you, David Waymire. Job well done!
JURY FINDS MAN GUILTY OF RAPING CHILD FOR YEARS --
This afternoon, a jury found Jaime Villanueva guilty of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor (2 Counts), Criminal Sexual Penetration of a Child Under 13 (3 Counts), and Criminal Sexual Penetration in the Second Degree (2 Counts) (Child 13 to 18 Years of Age).
The abuse began when the child was approximately 9 years old and continued until she was 13.
The child eventually disclosed the abuse to a school counselor, who notified law enforcement.
Villanueva faces more than 100 years in prison. Sentencing will take place at a later date.
“Our attorneys in the Special Victims Unit demonstrate extraordinary dedication, resilience, and compassion every single day. The work they do is among the most challenging in the legal profession. They do not give up, no matter how difficult the case, no matter the obstacles, because they understand what is at stake for victims and survivors." Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman
JURY FINDS MAN GUILTY OF RAPING CHILD FOR YEARS --
This afternoon, a jury found Jaime Villanueva guilty of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor (2 Counts), Criminal Sexual Penetration of a Child Under 13 (3 Counts), and Criminal Sexual Penetration in the Second Degree (2 Counts) (Child 13 to 18 Years of Age).
The abuse began when the child was approximately 9 years old and continued until she was 13.
The child eventually disclosed the abuse to a school counselor, who notified law enforcement.
Villanueva faces more than 100 years in prison. Sentencing will take place at a later date.
“Our attorneys in the Special Victims Unit demonstrate extraordinary dedication, resilience, and compassion every single day. The work they do is among the most challenging in the legal profession. They do not give up, no matter how difficult the case, no matter the obstacles, because they understand what is at stake for victims and survivors." Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman
Three 18-Year-Olds Charged with Battery on Correctional Officer at Youth Facility -
Police are investigating a violent assault on a correctional officer at the Youth Development and Diagnostic Center that occurred over the weekend.
Three suspects, Adrian Brown, Justice Sanchez, and Ezekiel Ullibarri, all 18, have been charged with aggravated battery on a peace officer in connection with the incident. The officer was seriously injured.
Following the attack, all three suspects were transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office will file detention motions seeking to keep the defendants in an adult facility as their cases proceed. Each of the suspects had been housed at the juvenile facility prior to the incident, facing charges related to earlier violent crimes committed as juveniles.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman emphasized the need for policy changes regarding the housing of adult offenders in juvenile facilities.
“Eighteen-year-olds are legally adults and should not be housed in the same facility as much younger teens,” Bregman said. “This creates a dangerous environment and poses a serious threat not only to correctional officers, but also to younger detainees.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
Man Sentenced in Fatal Shooting During Drug Deal at Coronado Mall Parking Lot --
A judge has sentenced Angel Chavez to 16 years in prison for his role in a fatal shooting that occurred in the parking lot of Coronado Mall on March 7, 2021.
Investigators believe the victim, Jayden Vallez, agreed to meet Chavez and another teenager to sell drugs to them. During the encounter, Vallez was fatally shot.
Chavez was 16 years old at the time of the shooting and was later arrested at the age of 18. In 2024, he pleaded guilty to First-Degree Murder/Serious Youthful Offender.
Police believe the second suspect in this case was murdered in an unrelated crime.