Police

New Mexico Senate Committee Discusses Harsher Penalties For Felons With Guns

by

By ESTEBAN CANDELARIA
The Santa Fe New Mexican

The illegal possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a crime carries serious penalties in New Mexico — at least three years in prison.

Still, hundreds of people have been charged with the offense in recent years.

So, how can New Mexico better deter the problem?

That was the question lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee pondered Monday afternoon, as the Legislature gears up to consider several proposals designed to curb violent crime in New Mexico during this year’s 30-day session.

For Ben Baker, senior public safety adviser Read More

FBI: Albuquerque Man Gets 19 Years For Online Sextortion

by

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 19 and a half years in prison for coercing a 15-year-old girl into producing sexually explicit images over several years and for sexually exploiting a second victim who was 12 years old.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, between 2019 and 2022, Adrian Puentes, 26, engaged in an ongoing pattern of sextortion and sexual exploitation involving two minor victims. Beginning when Jane Doe 1 was in eighth grade, Puentes used multiple social media platforms, including Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok, to Read More

NMSP Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting In Artesia

by

NMSP News:

ARTESIA — Jan. 21, 2026, the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau was requested by the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force to investigate an officer-involved shooting (OIS) involving one of their detectives.

Investigations Bureau agents learned earlier that day, the United States Marshals Service requested assistance from the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force, in apprehending Aaron Cane Vasquez (27). Vasquez was wanted on a no-bond probation violation warrant with nationwide extradition. Vasquez was also identified as a person of interest in Read More

Rep. Gabe Vasquez On Lack Of Reform And Accountability In Department Of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill

by

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) released the following statement today ahead of his vote opposing the FY26 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill. In July 2025, DHS received a $150 billion “blank check” under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is now being used to fund ICE with no guardrails or oversight.

“As long as Secretary Noem continues to run DHS as a rogue agency that directs masked agents to create chaos in our communities and detain our citizens with impunity and no regard for our rights Read More

FBI: Dulce Man Pleads Guilty To Assault

by

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Dulce man pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an incident in which he discharged a handgun in a vehicle, striking the victim.

According to court documents, July 21, 2025, Leandrew Cody Velarde, 22, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, became intoxicated in a park. The victim and another individual offered to drive him home, and he got into their vehicle. During an argument in the car, Velarde handled a handgun he had with him, and the firearm discharged, striking the victim. The victim required airlift transport to a hospital but survived the injury. Read More

FBI: Cubero Man Charged In Fatal Shooting

by

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Cubero man is facing federal charges in connection with the fatal shooting of another tribal member during a confrontation at a cemetery.

According to court records, Jan. 1, 2026, Donald Thompson, 49, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna, allegedly shot and killed another Laguna Pueblo member during a confrontation at a cemetery within the Pueblo of Laguna in Cubero, New Mexico. Law enforcement responded to reports of a shooting and found the victim deceased at the scene with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest and back. Witnesses reported that Thompson was Read More

FBI: Taos Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Brutal 2019 Double Homicide

by

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Taos man was sentenced to life in prison for the June 2019 killings of two members of the Taos Pueblo.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Joshua Gonzales, 39, a non-Indian, murdered John Doe 1 and his father, John Doe 2, both enrolled members of the Taos Pueblo, inside John Doe 1’s residence.

The evidence established that Gonzales repeatedly bludgeoned both victims with a wooden table leg, causing catastrophic head injuries and multiple skull fractures. After killing the men, Gonzales dragged their Read More

FBI: Former U.S. Navy SEAL Convicted Of Transporting Explosives Purchased In New Mexico To Throw At Law Enforcement During Protests

by

Former U.S. Navy SEAL Gregory Vandenberg wearing a t-shirt bearing the word ‘AMALEK,’ a term meaning ‘destroyer of Jews’ at the travel center near Lordsburg on June 12, 2025. Courtesy/FBI

Former U.S. Navy SEAL Gregory Vandenberg, right, at the travel center near Lordsburg on June 12, 2025. Courtesy/FBI

FBI News:

  • Evidence Reflected Violent Extremist Beliefs and Deep Hostility Toward the U.S. Government

ALBUQUERQUE – After a five-day jury trial and approximately three hours of deliberation, a federal jury convicted Gregory Vandenberg, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, of intending to use explosives Read More

Wanted By FBI: Bonifacio Francisco Silva

by

FBI News:

The FBI-Albuquerque Office is seeking information from the public. Bonifacio Francisco Silva is wanted for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of a male victim that took place on the Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico, on Jan. 9, 2026.

On Jan. 10, 2026, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Silva in the United States District Court, District of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, after he was charged with Second Degree Murder, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.

Silva has ties to Bosque Farms, New Mexico, and Hillsboro, Oregon.

If you have any Read More

DEA Releases 2026 Aggregate Production Quotas

by

Cheri Oz
DEA Assist. Administrator of Diversion Control 

DEA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration released the established aggregate production quotas (APQ) for schedule I and II controlled substances and assessment of annual needs (AAN) for the list I chemicals ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine for 2026.

“DEA is committed to ensuring that patients can access the prescription medications that they need to stay healthy,” DEA Assistant Administrator of Diversion Control Cheri Oz said. “DEA takes seriously its responsibility Read More