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WELCOME TO THE TEAM! 🎉
This morning, we welcomed three new attorneys to the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office. One will serve in our Juvenile Crimes Division, and two will join our Metro Court Division.
While we typically do not identify staff members by name on social media, we are excited to welcome these new team members as they begin serving our community.
We’re glad you’re here — welcome to the team!
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman and staff were proud to join community partners at Metro Court Resource Day in recognition of National Treatment Court Month. Events like this help connect people to treatment, housing, employment, and recovery resources that strengthen families and improve public safety in our community.
Regarding the news release from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office concerning the crash investigation into the death of Sgt. Michael Schlattman, the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office received the case this morning and is currently reviewing it. Once that review is complete, our Office will make the findings public.
Crash Investigation into Death of Sgt. Michael Schlattman Turned Over to DA for Review
-NEWS RELEASE FROM BCSO-
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is providing an update following a final briefing from the Rio Rancho Police Department regarding the investigation into the February 23, 2026, crash that killed BCSO Sergeant Michael Schlattman.
Earlier today, Rio Rancho Police Department Traffic Investigators and command staff briefed representatives from BCSO, including the agency’s Traffic Unit, on the completion of their investigation and final findings. RRPD has advised that the case has now been forwarded to the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review. Any final charging decisions will be made by the District Attorney’s Office.
According to the findings presented by RRPD, Sgt. Schlattman had initiated a traffic stop east of the Carnuel exit when a semi-truck traveling westbound on Interstate 40 struck the rear of his marked patrol unit. The impact pushed the patrol vehicle into Sgt. Schlattman, causing fatal injuries. RRPD identified the semi-truck driver as Miguel Orlando Perez, who holds a valid Florida Class A commercial driver’s license. Investigators determined the semi-truck was traveling approximately 64 miles per hour at the time of impact and that no brakes were applied before the collision. The investigation also found no mechanical issues with the semi-truck or the patrol unit. RRPD identified contributing factors that included sun glare, the position of the patrol vehicle, and semi-driver inattention.
RRPD further advised that investigators developed probable cause for charges of Careless Driving and Operation of Vehicles on Approach of Moving Authorized Emergency Vehicles. Those findings have been submitted to the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review.
MAN WHO SHOT NM STATE POLICE OFFICER AFTER HIGH SPEED CHASE — SENTENCED
Today, a judge sentenced Caleb Elledge to the maximum punishment allowed by law — 22 years in prison. That sentence is in addition to his federal prison sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
BACKGROUND:
On February 11, 2022, New Mexico State Police Lt. Jeremy Vaughan encountered Caleb Elledge and his girlfriend at a gas station near Edgewood after an employee reported the woman was using drugs inside the store.
When Lt. Vaughan approached Elledge’s vehicle, Elledge rammed the officer’s patrol unit and took off. He then led police on a high-speed chase down a two-lane road at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Lt. Vaughan attempted to stop the vehicle by executing a PIT maneuver. Elledge shot Lt. Vaughan in the neck, wounding him.
In March, a jury found Elledge guilty of the following charges:
Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer with Intent to Commit a Violent Felony
Aggravated Battery on a Peace Officer (Deadly Weapon)
Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer
Tampering with Evidence
Criminal Damage to Property Over $1,000
WOMAN WHO SHOT AND KILLED ESTRANGED HUSBAND ON FOURTH OF JULY SENTENCED -
Today, a judge sentenced Erica Valdez to 15 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department.
BACKGROUND:
On July 4, 2023, Valdez made multiple attempts to shoot her estranged husband, Joel Valdez.
She first fired at him with an automatic pistol while he was outside his home. A short time later, she shot and killed him a few streets away.
The state asked for a sentence of 25 years in the Department of Corrections. However, the judge sentenced Valdez to 15 years in prison.
In November, Valdez pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder with a Firearm Enhancement and Shooting at a Dwelling with a Firearm Enhancement.
MAN WHO ARRANGED TO BUY GUNS AND DRUGS ON TELEGRAM APP THAT LED TO DOUBLE MURDER -- SENTENCED
Telegram user Nathaniel Laws has been sentenced to 46 years in prison for the June 2024 shooting deaths of Abdullah Abbas and Kylee Silva.
BACKGROUND:
Laws, who was 19 at the time of the crimes, arranged a meeting through Telegram with Abdullah Abbas under the pretense of buying drugs and firearms. When Abbas and Silva arrived at his apartment, Laws opened fire, shooting Silva six times and Abbas five times. Both victims died from their injuries.
After the shootings, Laws robbed the victims and was later found attempting to sell items taken from Abbas’s vehicle through Telegram.
Laws pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 46 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman praised the prosecutors following the conviction.
“Rebekah and Savannah are relentless when it comes to getting justice for victims. They are tough, compassionate, and never give up,” Bregman said. “We’re proud of the work they do, often handling back-to-back trials. We hope this brings some sense of justice for Corr’s victim.”
Ex-Albuquerque teacher found guilty in teen sex abuse case
www.kob.com
A jury found a former Albuquerque middle school teacher guilty on all felony charges he faced for abusing multiple teenagers.
FORMER MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ABUSING STUDENT-
Today a jury convicted former Albuquerque middle school teacher Patrick Corr of Criminal Sexual Penetration of a Minor, 2 Counts of Child Abuse, and 1 Count of Giving Alcohol to a Minor.
Corr taught at John Adams Middle School from 2019 to 2024. The crimes happened in 2023 when he gave a student alcohol and sexually abused her.
Corr faces 22.5 years in prison. He faces a second trial involving another victim.
Deputy District Attorneys Rebekah Reyes and Savannah Brandenburg-Koch prosecuted this case.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman praised the prosecutors following the conviction.
“Rebekah and Savannah are relentless when it comes to getting justice for victims. They are tough, compassionate, and never give up,” Bregman said. “We’re proud of the work they do, often handling back-to-back trials. We hope this brings some sense of justice for Corr’s victim.”
BUSTED! MAN WHO TOOK CLOTHING, ELECTRONICS FROM TARGET- CONVICTED
This week, a jury convicted Armando Ramirez-Quesada of shoplifting after he stole clothing and electronics from a Target store in Uptown Albuquerque on September 25, 2025. Ramirez-Quesada concealed clothing under his own clothes in a dressing room before leaving the store with stolen merchandise.
Ramirez-Quesada evaded security when they confronted him. He was arrested nearby 15 minutes later. Under the leadership of District Attorney Sam Bregman, shoplifting cases are now being prosecuted by attorneys in the District Attorney’s Office. In the past, these cases were prosecuted by police officers. Assistant District Attorneys Kassie Blaisuis and Trevor Wommack secured the conviction, sending a clear message: organized retail theft and shoplifting will be prosecuted, and offenders will be held accountable.