Albuquerque Man Sentenced to Nearly 30 Years for Deadly Shooting Today a judge sentenced Jamil Lewis to 27 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department. In June, Lewis pleaded guilty to several charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated battery, and being a felon with a gun. BACKGROUND: June 2024, Lewis and two of his friends ran into brothers Gerald and Edward Ibuado near Cochiti Road and Indiana SE. Things turned violent after Gerald punched a man who owed him money. When Edward rushed over to help his brother, Lewis pulled out a gun and opened fire. Gerald was killed, and Edward was wounded. Lewis was arrested a month later during an unrelated shoplifting case where he tried to steal a holster, putting a gun in it and placing it in his waistband. ... See MoreSee Less
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A man has been convicted in the 2024 stabbing death of Luis Romero. Juan Carlos Garcia, 25, was found guilty of second-degree murder for fatally stabbing Romero twice in the back during a dispute over money. The two men fought over $300 that Garcia believed Romero had stolen. On April 7, 2024 — the day of the killing — Romero went to Garcia’s apartment near Central and Tramway in Albuquerque, angry that Garcia had accused him of theft. That same day, Albuquerque police received a report from Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital that Romero had been dropped off with fatal wounds. The men who brought him to the hospital drove away before officers arrived. Romero died a short time later. Police later found a trail of blood leading to Garcia’s second-floor apartment, where investigators recovered a bloody kitchen knife. Detectives said Garcia admitted to stabbing Romero during an interview following his arrest. Attorneys Collin Brennan and Genia Gonzales prosecuted this case. ... See MoreSee Less
FROM ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS -- A LETTER TO PARENTS & STUDENTS - Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman advises parents to check cars, backpacks and phones, and encourages 'see something, say something' reporting.
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Fatal Robbery of 75-Year-Old Albuquerque Resident - Today a jury convicted James Gonzales of first-degree murder for the fatal armed robbery of 75-year-old Harry Velarde in southeast Albuquerque in 2024. BACKGROUND- James Caleb Gonzales and his girlfriend went to the victim’s apartment on the 1000 block of Valencia Drive SE with the intent to rob him. During the robbery, Gonzales shot and killed Velarde. Velarde met the girlfriend of Gonzales several days earlier and had allowed her to stay at his apartment temporarily. The couple later returned to rob Velarde. After the shooting, Gonzales and his girlfriend fled Albuquerque but were arrested later at Villanueva State Park. Today Gonzales was found guilty of first-degree felony murder, armed robbery, and related offenses. He faces a mandatory life sentence in prison. Prosecutors Ashlee Mills and Christine Jablonsky prosecuted this case. “I’m grateful to our prosecutors for their dedication in this difficult case. We hope this verdict helps family members of the victim begin to heal and shows that we will relentlessly seek justice for those harmed in our community.” — Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman ... See MoreSee Less
MAN CHARGED WITH KILLING HIS MOTHER, PUTTING BODY PARTS IN FREEZER — WILL REMAIN IN CUSTODY. This week, the courts ruled Leroy Vallejos will remain in custody as his case goes through the judicial process. BACKGROUND: Last month, Albuquerque Police arrested 49-year-old Vallejos after he allegedly killed and partially dismembered his mother, 69-year-old Ernestina Lucero, who had been reported missing. Officers conducted a welfare check at Lucero's home near Rhode Island and Copper and located human body parts in a freezer. Investigators say Vallejos confessed to choking his mother about three weeks prior to them searching the home. Vallejos was booked into the Metro Detention Center, charged with an open count of murder and tampering with evidence. The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office requested he remain in custody. Defense attorneys agreed with that request. ... See MoreSee Less
ABQ Man Sentenced for 2007 Rape — Final Case in “Project Predator” Initiative -- An Albuquerque man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for a 2007 kidnapping and sexual assault, marking the final prosecution under Bernalillo County’s “Project Predator” initiative. This week, a judge sentenced Jesus Cordova for the October 2007 attack. Investigators said Cordova lured the victim by pretending to be interested in renting an apartment, then forced her into the back of the office, threatened to kill her with scissors, and raped her. Cordova pleaded guilty in August. He has spent much of the past two decades incarcerated for a separate sexual offense from April 2007. Cordova’s prosecution concludes Project Predator, a cold case rape project that united 38 volunteer attorneys with the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office to prosecute cases identified through New Mexico’s Rape Kit DNA backlog. Since its launch, the initiative has produced 13 successful prosecutions, bringing long-awaited justice to victims.
“This project demonstrates the power of collaboration and commitment to justice,” said DA Sam Bregman. “I want to personally thank the volunteer attorneys who devoted their time and expertise to bringing closure to these cases.”
“I want to recognize the incredible courage of the victims who never gave up,” added Jack Jacks, head of the DA’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Unit. “Their strength and willingness to come forward—often after many years—made it possible for us to pursue justice.”
The conclusion of Cordova’s case marks the culmination of years of dedication from prosecutors, law enforcement, and community partners under the “Project Predator” effort. The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office will continue prosecuting cold case rapes with our SAKI Unit. ... See MoreSee Less
Thank you to everyone who attended last night's Town Hall at West Mesa High School addressing student safety and the safety of our community. If you weren’t able to join us, this report includes several suggestions on how parents can get involved and help support our shared commitment to a safer environment for all students. ... See MoreSee Less
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — How can we help protect our children? That’s the question several had at a town hall held by District Attorney Sam Bregman Wednesday.Police have found nine guns on Albuquerqu...
Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night's Town Hall at West Mesa High School with Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman! We’re grateful to the parents, students, staff, and law enforcement officers who took part in an open and honest conversation about how we can work together to make our schools and community safer. THANK YOU TO WEST MESA FOR HOSTING! #CommunitySafety#WestMesaHigh#BernalilloCountyDA#Teamwork#PublicSafety#KeepingKidsSafe#StrongerTogether... See MoreSee Less
Albuquerque Man Sentenced to Nearly 30 Years for Deadly Shooting
Today a judge sentenced Jamil Lewis to 27 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department.
In June, Lewis pleaded guilty to several charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated battery, and being a felon with a gun.
BACKGROUND:
June 2024, Lewis and two of his friends ran into brothers Gerald and Edward Ibuado near Cochiti Road and Indiana SE. Things turned violent after Gerald punched a man who owed him money. When Edward rushed over to help his brother, Lewis pulled out a gun and opened fire. Gerald was killed, and Edward was wounded.
Lewis was arrested a month later during an unrelated shoplifting case where he tried to steal a holster, putting a gun in it and placing it in his waistband. ... See MoreSee Less
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office extends our deepest gratitude to all veterans for their service and sacrifice. ... See MoreSee Less
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A man has been convicted in the 2024 stabbing death of Luis Romero.
Juan Carlos Garcia, 25, was found guilty of second-degree murder for fatally stabbing Romero twice in the back during a dispute over money.
The two men fought over $300 that Garcia believed Romero had stolen. On April 7, 2024 — the day of the killing — Romero went to Garcia’s apartment near Central and Tramway in Albuquerque, angry that Garcia had accused him of theft.
That same day, Albuquerque police received a report from Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital that Romero had been dropped off with fatal wounds. The men who brought him to the hospital drove away before officers arrived. Romero died a short time later.
Police later found a trail of blood leading to Garcia’s second-floor apartment, where investigators recovered a bloody kitchen knife. Detectives said Garcia admitted to stabbing Romero during an interview following his arrest. Attorneys Collin Brennan and Genia Gonzales prosecuted this case. ... See MoreSee Less
FROM ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS -- A LETTER TO PARENTS & STUDENTS -
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman advises parents to check cars, backpacks and phones, and encourages 'see something, say something' reporting.
www.aps.edu/news/news-from-2025-2026/da-warns-families-about-juveniles-with-guns-and-shares-vigil... ... See MoreSee Less
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Fatal Robbery of 75-Year-Old Albuquerque Resident -
Today a jury convicted James Gonzales of first-degree murder for the fatal armed robbery of 75-year-old Harry Velarde in southeast Albuquerque in 2024. BACKGROUND- James Caleb Gonzales and his girlfriend went to the victim’s apartment on the 1000 block of Valencia Drive SE with the intent to rob him. During the robbery, Gonzales shot and killed Velarde.
Velarde met the girlfriend of Gonzales several days earlier and had allowed her to stay at his apartment temporarily. The couple later returned to rob Velarde.
After the shooting, Gonzales and his girlfriend fled Albuquerque but were arrested later at Villanueva State Park.
Today Gonzales was found guilty of first-degree felony murder, armed robbery, and related offenses. He faces a mandatory life sentence in prison. Prosecutors Ashlee Mills and Christine Jablonsky prosecuted this case. “I’m grateful to our prosecutors for their dedication in this difficult case.
We hope this verdict helps family members of the victim begin to heal and shows that we will relentlessly seek justice for those harmed in our community.” — Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman ... See MoreSee Less
MAN CHARGED WITH KILLING HIS MOTHER, PUTTING BODY PARTS IN FREEZER — WILL REMAIN IN CUSTODY.
This week, the courts ruled Leroy Vallejos will remain in custody as his case goes through the judicial process.
BACKGROUND:
Last month, Albuquerque Police arrested 49-year-old Vallejos after he allegedly killed and partially dismembered his mother, 69-year-old Ernestina Lucero, who had been reported missing. Officers conducted a welfare check at Lucero's home near Rhode Island and Copper and located human body parts in a freezer.
Investigators say Vallejos confessed to choking his mother about three weeks prior to them searching the home.
Vallejos was booked into the Metro Detention Center, charged with an open count of murder and tampering with evidence.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office requested he remain in custody. Defense attorneys agreed with that request. ... See MoreSee Less
ABQ Man Sentenced for 2007 Rape — Final Case in “Project Predator” Initiative --
An Albuquerque man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for a 2007 kidnapping and sexual assault, marking the final prosecution under Bernalillo County’s “Project Predator” initiative.
This week, a judge sentenced Jesus Cordova for the October 2007 attack. Investigators said Cordova lured the victim by pretending to be interested in renting an apartment, then forced her into the back of the office, threatened to kill her with scissors, and raped her.
Cordova pleaded guilty in August. He has spent much of the past two decades incarcerated for a separate sexual offense from April 2007.
Cordova’s prosecution concludes Project Predator, a cold case rape project that united 38 volunteer attorneys with the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office to prosecute cases identified through New Mexico’s Rape Kit DNA backlog. Since its launch, the initiative has produced 13 successful prosecutions, bringing long-awaited justice to victims.
“This project demonstrates the power of collaboration and commitment to justice,” said DA Sam Bregman. “I want to personally thank the volunteer attorneys who devoted their time and expertise to bringing closure to these cases.”
“I want to recognize the incredible courage of the victims who never gave up,” added Jack Jacks, head of the DA’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Unit. “Their strength and willingness to come forward—often after many years—made it possible for us to pursue justice.”
The conclusion of Cordova’s case marks the culmination of years of dedication from prosecutors, law enforcement, and community partners under the “Project Predator” effort. The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office will continue prosecuting cold case rapes with our SAKI Unit. ... See MoreSee Less
Thank you to everyone who attended last night's Town Hall at West Mesa High School addressing student safety and the safety of our community.
If you weren’t able to join us, this report includes several suggestions on how parents can get involved and help support our shared commitment to a safer environment for all students. ... See MoreSee Less
District Attorney holds gun violence town hall at West Mesa High School
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — How can we help protect our children? That’s the question several had at a town hall held by District Attorney Sam Bregman Wednesday.Police have found nine guns on Albuquerqu...Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night's Town Hall at West Mesa High School with Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman!
We’re grateful to the parents, students, staff, and law enforcement officers who took part in an open and honest conversation about how we can work together to make our schools and community safer.
THANK YOU TO WEST MESA FOR HOSTING!
#CommunitySafety #WestMesaHigh #BernalilloCountyDA #Teamwork #PublicSafety #KeepingKidsSafe #StrongerTogether ... See MoreSee Less