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MADD New Mexico along with the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office invite you to our 3rd Annual Spring Picnic! The event will take place Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 11am-2pm. Join us for this family-friendly event including food, fun activities, and quality time outdoors. This is a celebratory gathering for victims/survivors of DWI crashes, as well as the local community and partners t ... See MoreSee Less

MADD New Mexico along with the Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office invite you to our 3rd Annual Spring Picnic! The event will take place Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 11am-2pm. Join us for this family-friendly event including food, fun activities, and quality time outdoors. This is a celebratory gathering for victims/survivors of DWI crashes, as well as the local community and partners that support them.

JURY CONVICTS MAN OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER AFTER STALKING EX-GIRLFRIEND THEN KILLING HER FRIEND

Today a jury convicted Chase Brandon Cuffie of Second-Degree Murder and 3 counts of Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon).

The murder happened in July, 2023 at an apartment complex in northwest Albuquerque. Cuffie hid in his ex-girlfriend’s apartment after stalking her for several months. He then forced he
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JURY CONVICTS MAN OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER AFTER STALKING EX-GIRLFRIEND THEN KILLING HER FRIEND

Today a jury convicted Chase Brandon Cuffie of Second-Degree Murder and 3 counts of Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon).

The murder happened in July, 2023 at an apartment complex in northwest Albuquerque.  Cuffie hid in his ex-girlfriend’s apartment after stalking her for several months. He then forced her and her friends inside the apartment.  When the victim, Craig Dixon ran for the door, Cuffie shot him multiple times, killing Dixon.  

Cuffie faces over 33 years in the Department of Corrections. Sentencing will take place at a later date.

MAN WHO RAPED 10-YEAR-OLD LITTLE GIRL IN 1992 — SENTENCED TO NEARLY TWO DECADES IN PRISON
Today a judge sentenced Freddy Valenzuela to 18 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department. In 1992, the little girl was walking in her neighborhood in the middle of the day, when Valenzuela grabbed her, pulled her into an alley, threatened to kill her, then raped the child.

The Bernalillo County Distri
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MAN WHO RAPED 10-YEAR-OLD LITTLE GIRL IN 1992  — SENTENCED TO NEARLY TWO DECADES IN PRISON
Today a judge sentenced Freddy Valenzuela to 18 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department.  In 1992, the little girl was walking in her neighborhood in the middle of the day, when Valenzuela grabbed her, pulled her into an alley, threatened to kill her, then raped the child. 

The Bernalillo County District Attorneys Cold Case Rape Unit, also known as the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) worked on this case.  DNA taken from a rape kit matched Valenzuela. The kit was tested in 2020,  years after the crime as the rape kit backlog was finally being cleared.  Last December, Valenzuela pled guilty to raping the little girl.  

The victim passed away in 2019.  Her family wanted to move forward with this case and were in court today to speak on her behalf.  

The victims family thanked us for not giving up and that we fought to see it through, said  SAKI Prosecutor Jack Bennett Jacks

This victim suffered a lifetime of trauma because of Valenzuela.  We sincerely hope todays sentence brings some closure and justice for her family.  Our SAKI Team is relentless when it comes to fighting for these victims — no matter how old these cases are.  Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman

MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING HIS FORMER SEX PARTNER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
Today a judge sentenced Jose Mendoza Espinoza to life in the New Mexico Corrections Department, plus 12 additional years for tampering with evidence.

BACKGROUND:
In February, a jury convicted Jose Mendoza Espinoza of First-Degree Murder and 4 counts of Tampering with Evidence.
In September 2023 Mendoza Espinoza brutally m
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MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING HIS  FORMER SEX PARTNER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
Today a judge sentenced Jose Mendoza Espinoza to life in the New Mexico Corrections Department, plus 12 additional years for tampering with evidence. 

BACKGROUND:
In February, a jury convicted Jose Mendoza Espinoza of First-Degree Murder and 4 counts of Tampering with Evidence.
In September 2023 Mendoza Espinoza brutally murdered 35-year-old Sherlyn Marjorie, a transgender woman he had been in a sexual relationship with for years. 
Mendoza Espinoza told investigators he committed the crime because he claimed the victim was demanding money and threatened to tell Mendoza Espinozas family about the ongoing affair.   
Marjories friends found her car, then days later discovered her body in a ditch.

OPERATION ROUTE 66 - WEEK 5
Since Operation Route 66 began five weeks ago, law enforcement arrested more than 300 people.

200 of those arrested had warrants.
Five of those suspects were wanted in connection with homicides.
Deputies, Agents, and Officers have seized:
19 guns
20 stolen vehicles

Operation Route 66 is a collaborative effort with the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office, the New
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OPERATION ROUTE 66 - WEEK 5 
Since Operation Route 66 began five weeks ago, law enforcement arrested more than 300 people. 

200 of those arrested had warrants.
Five of those suspects were wanted in connection with homicides. 
Deputies, Agents, and Officers have seized:
19 guns
20 stolen vehicles 

Operation Route 66 is a collaborative effort with the Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office, the New Mexico State Police, the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, and the New Mexico Corrections Departments Probation and Parole Division. The goal is to fight crime in the Albuquerque area, with a current focus on the International District.   

 #OperationRoute66 #LawEnforcement #PublicSafety #CommunitySafety #PoliceCollaboration

JURY CONVICTS MAN OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN REVENGE KILLING.
Today a jury convicted Theodore Toney of First-Degree Murder for the shooting death of Kenneth Ellis.
The crime happened on April 6, 2024, at a dance event in the 500 block of San Pedro in NE Albuquerque.
Investigators say Toney committed the murder because Ellis testified against Toney's son in a 2016 homicide trial.
Theodore Toney ma
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JURY CONVICTS MAN OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN REVENGE KILLING.  
Today a jury convicted Theodore Toney of First-Degree Murder for the shooting death of Kenneth Ellis.  
The crime happened on April 6, 2024, at a dance event in the 500 block of San Pedro in NE Albuquerque.
Investigators say Toney committed the murder because Ellis testified against Toneys son in a 2016 homicide trial.  
Theodore Toney made threats against Ellis and his family after his testimony.
Toney now faces life in prison.

THIRD TEEN INVOLVED IN SHOOTING DEATH OF 5-YEAR-OLD CHILD -- SENTENCED
This afternoon, a judge sentenced Yahir Carballo to 16 years in prison.
August 13, 2023, Carballo and four other teens were in stolen vehicles when they drove by a mobile home park in southwest Albuquerque and opened fire.
5-year-old Galilea Samaniego was sleeping inside the home when she was shot and killed. She was not their
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THIRD TEEN INVOLVED IN SHOOTING DEATH OF 5-YEAR-OLD CHILD -- SENTENCED
This afternoon, a judge sentenced Yahir Carballo to 16 years in prison.  
August 13, 2023, Carballo and four other teens were in stolen vehicles when they drove by a mobile home park in southwest Albuquerque and opened fire. 
5-year-old Galilea Samaniego was sleeping inside the home when she was shot and killed.  She was not their intended target.
Carballo tried to shoot at the home, but his gun jammed.
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