When now-retired Albuquerque Police Department Detective Maureen O’Brien was called to a local hospital to investigate the death of a child five years ago, she was horrified at what she saw when she laid her eyes on the body of four-year-old James Dunklee Cruz. “I knew this wasn’t an accident. He didn’t fall. I knew […]
Courts, Justice & Safety
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
District Attorney’s Office, once again, has a public list of untrustworthy officers
The Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office is once again publishing its list of untrustworthy law enforcement officers online. Last week, City Desk ABQ reported that with the change in administration the DA’s office was no longer publicly listing officers who need Giglio disclosures—anything that could cast doubt on their integrity as a witness. Four of […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
A court employee alerted police oversight board about cop’s offer to fix DWI case months before FBI raids
Months before FBI raids of APD cops and a local attorney, a court official alerted the police oversight agency about an offer to fix a DWI case
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
5 years, 29 cases, just 1 conviction
Since 2017, nearly every DWI case where Albuquerque Police Officer Honorio Alba made the arrest and Thomas Clear was the defense attorney ended up getting dismissed. A City Desk ABQ review of court records in the 29 cases revealed that only one case resulted in a defendant being sentenced. Over and over the cases were […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
Cops seize over $1M in unlicensed cannabis from two ABQ dispensaries during international organized crime investigation
On January 25, New Mexico State Police assisted with the execution of two search warrants at two Albuquerque-area cannabis dispensaries. After receiving information from the Cannabis Control Division, agents with the New Mexico Governor’s Organized Crime Commission requested assistance from the New Mexico State Police with executing search warrants at The Cannabis Revolution Dispensary (CRD) […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, New Mexico Statewide News
New real time info on arrest warrants expected to lessen people being arrested mistakenly
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico courts and law enforcement on Monday began streamlining how they exchange information about outstanding arrest warrants through a new electronic process aimed at improving the criminal justice system. State Police and court officials said automating electronic delivery allows law enforcement to know that a person is subject to […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
Letters, accusations fly over DWI unit investigation
There’s still much unknown surrounding the scandal involving members of the Albuquerque Police Department’s DWI Unit and a local defense attorney, but since news of alleged impropriety came to light earlier this month, officials have exchanged barbs and questions in a flurry of letters. What we do know is that federal agents raided homes of […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, State Government #nmgov
Pretrial detention bill favored by the gov won’t move forward
By Robert Knott/ Santa Fe New Mexican A “tougher on crime” bill championed by the governor that supporters say would address the perception of violent criminals moving through a judicial revolving door went through something of a revolving door itself Monday. Members of the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committed voted 5-4 to table Senate […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness
The week in crime
In the past week, the Albuquerque Police Department has responded to three crashes in the city, resulting in two pedestrian deaths. There was also an arrest made in a fatal stabbing, a drug-trafficking arrest, and two people were charged in a 2017 murder case. And APD officers shot and killed someone they said was threatening […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
Inmate death on Sunday marks first for 2024
A 26-year-old man died in the county jail over the weekend. Officials say Pete Salazar had a medical emergency at the Metropolitan Detention Center Sunday morning. They said jail staff and the University of New Mexico Hospital medical team tried to save his life but after 24 minutes their efforts were unsuccessful. Salazar had been […]