Navigation
News
UNM LAW STUDENTS — WE APPRECIATE YOU!
Today the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office recognized students from the University of New Mexico Law School who have been working in our office this semester.
They took part in the Prosecution and Practice Class, which focused on prosecuting DWI cases.
Your eagerness to learn really makes a difference in our community — and makes it a safer place.
THANK YOU, UNM LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS!
#unmlaw #lawstudents #dwiprosecution #legaleducation #berncoda
CONVICTED --
JURY CONVICTS MAN FOR ROAD RAGE SHOOTING --
Late this afternoon a jury convicted Tristan Salais of Second Degree Murder and Shooting at or from a Motor Vehicle.
The shooting happened in December, 2022. The victim, 50 year old Jessie Lovato was killed near Montano and Rio Grande.
Lovato crashed his veicle into a wall on his way to work. First responders realized Lovato had been shot in the neck.
Salais told investigators he was a witness to the crime, but then sped away from the crash scene.
Surveillance video and social media linked
him to the murder.
Sentencing will take place at a later date.
MOTHER WHO TOLD HER SON TO SHOOT A HOMELESS WOMAN -- CONVICTED
Today, a jury convicted Kristina Withrow of Second Degree Murder with a Firearm Enhancement, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm Enhancement, and Tampering with Evidence for the
shooting death of Monique Garcia.
BACKGROUND:
April, 2023, Withrow told Garcia to leave the walkway near her apartment in SE Albuquerque. The two women got into a verbal argument. That's when Withrow retrieved a gun and told her 18-year-old son, Kristian Crespin, to shoot Garcia. He fired three shots, killing Garcia, who was homeless.
Initially, Withrow told police she was the one who opened fire, but later admitted that she ordered her son to shoot.
In 2024, Kristian Crespin pled guilty to his part in Garcia's death and was sentenced to nearly two decades in prison.
Sentencing for Withrow will take place at a later date.
--
THANK YOU!
Today members of our staff recognized the folks who work so hard behind the scenes — it’s Administrative Professionals Day!
We appreciate all you do! (And a little music helps our crew unwind in what can be a very stressful job).
HELPING NEW MEXICO CHILDREN & HOW YOU CAN JOIN US --
Multiple agencies are at the Hotel Albuquerque for the 32nd Annual Children's Law Institute Conference
-- Building Strength and Resilience in Times of Uncertainty --
Professionals from around the state are gathering for training to assist children and families.
Our office is recruiting volunteers to work hand in hand with our staff, assisting crime victims through the criminal justice process.
We will also be at Hotel Albuquerque on Thursday. For more information on volunteering, you can go to our website --https://da2nd.nm.gov
WEEK 9 -- OPERATION ROUTE 66 - A COORDINATED EFFORT TO INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY --
Agents, Officers, and Deputies have been working together to increase patrols, execute warrants, and shut down illegal activity with a current focus on Albuquerque's International District.
SINCE OPERATION ROUTE 66 BEGAN --
492 Arrests, including six homicide suspects.
332 Offenders with warrants
Evidence Seized/Recovered
Fentanyl - 35,249 pills
Meth - 892.1 grams
Guns - 41
Stolen Cars - 38
Agents with the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office, Deputies with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico State Police, and the New Mexico Corrections Department's Probation and Parole Division are participating in this collaborative effort to fight crime.
#operationroute66 #PublicSafety #albuquerque #CrimeFighting #lawenforcement #collaboration
JURY CONVICTS MAN OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER FOR SHOOTING RECORDED ON SURVEILLANCE CAMERA -
Today a jury convicted Andrew Ramirez of First-Degree Murder for the fatal shooting of Freddie Litton. The crime happened in broad daylight in November 2023. It was caught on surveillance camera and showed Ramirez running after the victim and opening fire. Ramirez had just been let out of prison on burglary charges shortly before the murder.
Ramirez now faces life in prison.
Thank you to prosecutors Collin Brennan, Caroline Andrews and our entire team, who worked on this case.
OPERATION ROUTE 66
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
MAN WHO ROBBED A MASSAGE BUSINESS THEN FATALLY SHOT A WOMAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON.
Today a judge sentenced Jorge Rivera-Ramirez to life plus 18 years in the Department of Corrections.
On January 24, 2022, Jorge Rivera-Ramirez robbed the massage business where Sihui Fang worked. Juan Carlos Hernandez pointed a gun to her head and forced Fang to open the front door to let Jorge Rivera-Ramirez inside. Fang tried to escape but was dragged back inside and down the hallway by her hair. Fang was able to arm herself and shot in self-defense. Rivera-Ramirez and Hernandez shot numerous rounds of gunfire at Fang. Fang died at the scene.
Yesterday a jury convicted Robin Cassilda of Possession of Visual Medium of Sexual Exploitation (Child Under 13)
In May of 2023, Robin Cassilda's girlfriend called police after a domestic violence incident and reported that she had seen child sexual abuse material on Cassilda's computer. Detectives collected the computer along with other items and the FBI extracted the data, only to find over 102 images of child sexual abuse material.
Cassilda faces up to 11 years in the Department of Corrections.
For Immediate Release
March 14, 2025
MURDER CASE INVOLVING OTERO COUNTY DEPUTY TO PROCEED --
District Court Judge Angie Schneider ruled there was probable cause (enough evidence) to proceed with First-Degree murder charges against Otero County Deputy Jacob Diaz-Austin.
Thursday, in Alamogordo, New Mexico, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, and Chief Deputy District Attorney Natalie Lyon presented evidence in court that included video, photos, and testimony.