Pretrial Detention Motions
Data last updated August 31, 2026
** Judge Chavez was sworn in March of 2025
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Former APD Officer Convicted in Fatal 2025 Hit-and-Run
A jury has found former Albuquerque Police Department officer Krystal Garcia guilty of knowingly leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with evidence in connection with a fatal motorcycle crash that claimed the life of 37-year-old Daniel Trujillo.
On May 22, 2025, Garcia was a passenger on a motorcycle driven by former APD officer Ezekiel Florez when the motorcycle struck Trujillo near Central Avenue and Coors Boulevard NW shortly before 7 p.m. The motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed.
Trujillo suffered severe head trauma and later died from his injuries.
Evidence presented during the trial detailed Garcia's actions following the collision, including her involvement in leaving the scene and conduct related to concealing evidence connected to the crash. She faces 4.5 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department.
Florez previously pleaded guilty to knowingly leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to three years in prison in June 2026.
Guin Ice and Rebekah Reyes prosecuted this case.
SAVE THE DATE-
TAKING ON THE FENTANYL CRISIS THAT IS KILLING NEW MEXICANS
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman will host an all-day public forum bringing together first responders, care providers, justice advocates, and others on the front lines of the fentanyl crisis.
THE FENTANYL CRISIS IN BERNALILLO COUNTY: WHAT’S WORKING, WHAT ISN’T, AND WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER?
The goal: share experiences, confront challenges, and identify real solutions to protect our communities and save lives.
“The fentanyl crisis is destroying lives and killing New Mexicans. We have to do something. By bringing together the people on the front lines, we can work together to find solutions and make a difference,” said DA Sam Bregman.
📍 WHERE: Albuquerque Convention Center
🕘 WHEN: December 1, 2026, beginning at 9 a.m.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND.
🚨 ARREST ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
On November 11, Special Agents with the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office arrested Luis Villa on an outstanding felony warrant.
According to court documents, the warrant included the following charges:
Forgery ($2,500 or less)
Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drugs
No Insurance / Uninsured Motor Vehicle
Reckless Driving
Failure to Signal Required Turning Movements
During the investigation, investigators report that Villa was found in possession of counterfeit U.S. currency, including multiple counterfeit $20 bills, resulting in the additional forgery charge.
Villa was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Prisoner Transport Center (PTC).
All charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
#BernalilloCounty #DistrictAttorneysOffice #PublicSafety #Accountability
🎉 Welcome to the Team! 🎉
Today, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman officially swore in our newest agent, who is now joining the Crime Strategies Unit!
We’re excited to welcome him to the team and look forward to the important work ahead. Congratulations and welcome aboard! 👏
The SAKI (Sexual Assault Kit Initiative) Team does incredible work! No matter how old or how cold a case may be, victims are never forgotten. Their dedication to seeking justice makes a difference every day! Check out this report from KOB-TV.
Progress made in prosecuting cold case rape crimes
www.kob.com
Bernalillo County’s cold case rape unit says new testing and reviews helped prosecutors charge 34 people since 2023.
JURY CONVICTS MAN OF FIRST-DEGREE FELONY MURDER IN SHOOTING DEATH OF UNINTENDED TARGET
Late this afternoon, a jury convicted Rashad Jones of first-degree felony murder and conspiracy to commit shooting at a dwelling in connection with the shooting death of a man who was not the intended target.
On June 18, 2024, Jones and a group of men went to a home in Northeast Albuquerque because Jones had a dispute with one of the residents. Jones helped plan the shooting, and one of his friends opened fire, killing Javon Williams, who was not the intended target.
Cell phone data, security video and witness testimony helped establish Jones’ involvement in planning the shooting and ultimately led to his conviction.
Jones now faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison for the first-degree felony murder conviction. Sentencing will take place at a later date.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to holding those who commit violent crimes accountable and seeking justice for victims and their families.
MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO TWO COLD CASE RAPES -
Today, Carlos Parra-Cordova pleaded guilty to four counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration in the Second Degree in connection with two separate sexual assault cases from 2012 and 2013.
The assaults happened on December 7-8, 2012, and October 20, 2013. Investigators were able to identify Parra-Cordova as the suspect years later, after sexual assault examination kits from both cases were tested through New Mexico’s statewide sexual assault kit backlog initiative.
HOW POLICE FOUND PARRA-CORDOVA -
The cases resurfaced in January 2026 when Albuquerque police officers investigating an unrelated domestic violence incident discovered that Parra-Cordova had given them a false name. Further investigation revealed his identity and showed that he was wanted in connection with both sexual assault cases. He was arrested and has remained in custody since then.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Team handled the prosecution. The team focuses on investigating and prosecuting cases involving previously untested sexual assault kits, helping ensure that offenders are held accountable, even when the crimes happened years ago.
“Time does not erase the harm caused by sexual violence, and these cases demonstrate the importance of testing sexual assault kits and pursuing justice, even when years have passed,” said District Attorney Sam Bregman.
Sentencing is expected to take place in January 2027.
Defendant Remains in Custody Following Fatal Shooting of Albuquerque Teenager Involving 10-year-old.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A Bernalillo County judge has ordered Elaina Gomez-Villeda to remain in custody pending the outcome of her criminal case. Gomez-Villeda is charged with murder and several additional crimes following the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Keinerlein Rangel on Halloween.
According to investigators, the incident began at an apartment complex in Albuquerque's International District following a dispute over loud music. Gomez-Villeda approached her neighbors, Rangel and her mother, and asked them to turn down their music.
The disagreement escalated into a physical altercation. During the confrontation, 16-year-old Rangel and Gomez-Villeda's 10-year-old son reportedly attempted to break up the fight between their mothers.
The 10-year-old boy then went inside the apartment and retrieved an unsecured firearm. Gomez-Villeda reportedly screamed, "He's going to shoot you!"
The boy fired one round, which missed the family, before firing a second shot that struck and killed Rangel. The boy's 6-year-old sister was standing behind him when the shooting occurred.
Portions of the incident were captured on security video and are part of the ongoing investigation.
Police also found four additional unsecured firearms inside Gomez-Villeda's apartment. Investigators determined that the firearm used in the fatal shooting was stolen.
Gomez-Villeda is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
A big thank-you to everyone who joined us for Move With MADD! The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office was proud to walk alongside fellow volunteers at UNM’s Johnson Field on Saturday in support of this important cause. Together, we helped raise awareness and funds to end impaired driving—and took another step toward safer roads for everyone. 💙
#MoveWithMADD #EndImpairedDriving #BernalilloCounty