The New Mexico Supreme Court has reinstated the conviction of David Rael, a Los Alamos resident, overturning a previous Court of Appeals decision that had annulled his conviction for producing child pornography.
Rael had initially been sentenced in 2017 to a nine-year prison term on multiple counts related to the manufacture, distribution, and possession of child pornography, as reported by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
The appellate court had previously vacated Rael’s convictions on the grounds of insufficient evidence to demonstrate his intent to breach state law, with Rael maintaining that the downloading of child pornography was unintentional.
Paid Advertisement
However, the Supreme Court’s recent judgment countered this view, highlighting substantial circumstantial evidence from the trial that suggested otherwise.
The justices pointed out that Rael’s claims of accidental conduct were not convincing, given the compelling evidence. They noted, “This evidence and reasonable inferences from the evidence are sufficient for a factfinder to reasonably conclude that Defendant intentionally copied these videos with the intent to copy child pornography because he knew they depicted child pornography.”
With the Supreme Court’s decision, the case will return to the district court to reaffirm the original judgment and sentence against Rael.
On Monday, far-left anti-gun Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham had a photo op at Albuquerque’s West Mesa High School, where she signed two anti-gun bills and two crime-related bills.
“These four bills are an incredible effort to do more,” she said at the presser, per the Santa Fe New Mexican.
At the press conference, she was flanked by discredited anti-gun group “co-president” Miranda Viscoli of “New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence” and the sponsor of the extreme H.B. 129 anti-gun bill State Rep. Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe)
“All four bills become effective immediately, the governor said as she prepared to sign them,” the outlet reported, although the governor’s remark is inaccurate because these bills did not pass with an “emergency clause.” They will go into effect 90 days following the Legislature’s adjournment, which is in mid-May.
Among the bills set to become law is House Bill 129, which forces through a mandatory seven-day waiting period for all gun purchases, with minor exceptions of law enforcement agencies and those who hold concealed carry permits. This is the most stringent anti-gun law passed this session, although it was significantly weakened from its original form.
Paid Advertisement
She will also sign Senate Bill 5 to make carrying a firearm within 100 feet of a polling station during active voting a misdemeanor. This rule comes with exceptions for law enforcement personnel on duty, legitimate business activities, individuals in their vehicles, and those possessing a concealed firearm, rendering the bill essentially meaningless.
Another bill she is set to sign is Senate Bill 96, which will toughen penalties related to violent crimes, escalating the punishment for attempted murder from a maximum of three years to nine years in prison. The bill also proposes to increase the sentence for second-degree murder from 15 to 18 years.
Finally, Senate Bill 271 introduces a new measure for repeat felony offenders, establishing an automatic no-bail hold for those who breach their release conditions by committing another felony, a minor fix to the state’s catastrophic 2016 ballot measure, which resulted in violent offenders to be released without bail pending trial.
The governor wrote on X, formerly Twitter, following the event, “It’s time that we treat crime like the serious problem it is in New Mexico. That’s why today I signed four bills that will help make our state safer. Thank you to West Mesa High’s wonderful students for the warm welcome today!”
It's time that we treat crime like the serious problem it is in New Mexico. That's why today I signed four bills that will help make our state safer. Thank you to West Mesa High’s wonderful students for the warm welcome today! pic.twitter.com/BCXS9G2hGe
— Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) March 4, 2024
It is not uncommon for the governor to use children for political gain, especially to promote her extreme anti-gun agenda.
Of the over a dozen extreme anti-gun bills proposed during the 2024 Legislative Session, these two measures were the only ones that passed — a huge defeat for the anti-gun governor who attempted to ban most firearms in the state after signing an illegal, unconstitutional executive order last year to snatch guns.
Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s State Parks Division is set to update its fee structure by significantly raising fees across its 35 state parks.
Wendy Mason, the division’s marketing and public relations manager, highlighted in a discussion on “New Mexico Living” that the parks are part of the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department and are tasked with generating a significant portion of their budget—75%—through park fees and other self-sustained revenue streams.
Mason said state parks have been grappling with staffing shortages and constrained budgets, which is why the proposed price hikes. “Nothing is permanent right now,” Mason emphasized, indicating that the division is in the process of determining the most suitable fee adjustments after conducting studies and seeking input from the public.
Among the proposed changes are the removal of day-use fees for New Mexico residents to encourage more visits, the discontinuation of annual passes, and modifications to camping, utility, boat registration, and launching fees. Mason said that the elimination of day-use fees for locals aims to make the parks more accessible for exploration and enjoyment.
Paid Advertisement
However, it would not raise such fees for overnight stays. According to a study commissioned by the division and reported by KOAT & News, “The study shows proposed fees such as raising day-use per vehicle from $5 to $10; raising camping fees from $10 to $20 a night for New Mexico residents; electric service from $4 to $10 a night; water service for $10.” These proposed increases would cost over 100 percent more.
New Mexico House Republicans have come out unanimously against the proposed fee increase, writing, “The proposals appear likely to result in more than $6 million in additional revenue collection for the Division, which will more than double the revenue the Division is collecting in state park fees. Given the timing of the Division’s publication of the proposed rule – at the conclusion of the 2024 legislative session – this appears to be an end-run around the legislative process and a means for the Division to ensure its FY25 budget aligns with its requested budget levels rather than living within the means established by the Legislature.”
“New Mexicans are among the most economically challenged Americans. Rasing our fees to be consistent with the fees of neighboring states – which in some instances results in increases of 200% – fails to account for the vast differences in wealth of residents in our neighboring states, all of which have significantly fewer people living in poverty. The increased fees and new fees will make activities like camping, boating, and paddle sports unaffordable for many New Mexicans at a time when they are struggling to keep up with the significant inflation of recent years,” the House Republicans added in the letter.
Public input meetings will be held before April 1, and more information about them can be found here.
In New Mexico, families are feeling the pinch with rising grocery prices, with a typical household now spending approximately $286 weekly on food, a figure that increases with the addition of children, according to KOB 4. UNM finance expert Reilly White acknowledges the surge in food prices, noting a slight stabilization, “Food prices are up and are likely going to stay up. The good news is they’ve stopped increasing as much.”
A glance at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that the cost of staple foods such as ground beef has seen fluctuations, now standing at $5.56 per pound, a tiny decrease from July yet significantly higher before Joe Biden was installed as president. Milk and eggs have also seen price adjustments, with milk experiencing a moderate increase and eggs becoming more affordable post an avian flu outbreak. On the other hand, prices for produce like tomatoes and bananas have remained relatively stable, contrasting sharply with snack items such as potato chips and chocolate chip cookies, which have seen notable price hikes.
Paid Advertisement
New Mexico is witnessing a construction boom in the housing sector, with Alan Laseck of the Apartment Association of New Mexico reporting over 40 housing projects underway in Albuquerque alone. This surge in construction is anticipated to introduce around 5,000 rental units to the market, potentially easing the housing crunch.
Despite the current average rent in Albuquerque standing at $1,340, up significantly from January 2020, the increased housing supply is expected to foster competitive pricing and more attractive leasing incentives, per the report. White optimistically predicts, “You’ll see prices starting to be more competitive, more deals will be offered by apartments and related companies to get people through the door… Because of this, there’s just a supply in units, you can expect that some of these prices will start coming down meaningfully.”
Additionally, wage growth is on a miniscule upward trajectory, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicating a 1.4% increase in average hourly earnings over the past year, outpacing inflation rates since last February.
Following the recent endorsement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation, far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is now fearmongering all residents aged 65 and over to get yet another dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 jab.
NMDOH’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Miranda Durham, claimed, “Most COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations last year were among people 65 years and older,” adding, “An additional vaccine dose can provide added protection that may have decreased over time for those at highest risk.”
The CDC had previously made provisions for immunocompromised individuals to receive extra doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Now, with the advent of the updated vaccine, broader segments of the population, particularly older adults, are being encouraged to enhance their immunity against the virus.
The Department pushed the jab, saying that COVID-19 vaccines are being offered at no charge through private health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Additionally, a provision has been made for uninsured individuals to receive the vaccine free of charge through a network of health centers and pharmacies participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program, ensuring that everyone has access to the vaccine.
“Data from the CDC indicates that adults aged 65 and older bear a disproportionate impact from COVID-19, with more than half of the hospitalizations occurring within this age group between October 2023 and December 2023. Recognizing the significance of vaccination, NMDOH encourages eligible individuals to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines,” continued the press release.
According to Bloomberg, the COVID-19 jab is “inked to small increases in neurological, blood, and heart-related conditions in the largest global vaccine safety study to date,” per scientific studies.
Far-left Democrat Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has publicly contested the account given by far-left Democrat Mayor Alan Webber during his deposition related to a lawsuit concerning the October 2020 removal of the Plaza obelisk “Soldiers’ Monument” in Santa Fe. The governor criticized the mayor’s portrayal of their conversation, stating, “Mayor Webber’s remarks during his deposition amount to an egregious mischaracterization of our conversation.”
During his deposition, Mayor Webber suggested that Governor Lujan Grisham had discouraged him from attempting to address the contentious issue surrounding the obelisk, which had been a focal point of tension between stakeholders.
According to Webber’s recounting, the governor described the issue as “unsolvable” and warned him against trying to “rectify hundreds of years of history that were hard to untangle.”
However, Governor Lujan Grisham countered this narrative, asserting that her advice to Mayor Webber was to approach the situation with “caution and sensitivity,” given the highly charged emotions it elicited among the residents of Santa Fe. The governor accused Mayor Webber of shirking responsibility and criticized his leadership, stating, “Instead of leading on this issue, Mayor Webber is attempting to pass the buck and spread blame. That gets us nowhere, and he should be ashamed of himself for not owning his inaction when asked about it. There is an obvious leadership problem at the City of Santa Fe.”
The city, through Bernie Toon, a senior adviser, initially indicated a willingness to respond to the governor’s remarks but later decided against commenting on the matter, per the Santa Fe New Mexican.
The controversy over the obelisk and other monuments sparked legal action by Union Protectíva de Santa Fé, a local Spanish fraternal organization. In June 2021, the group filed a lawsuit against Mayor Webber, alleging that his decision to remove the obelisk, among other actions, violated the New Mexico Prehistoric and Historic Sites Preservation Act. The group argued that the mayor had succumbed to pressure from out-of-state fringe anti-Hispanic hate groups without adequately exploring alternatives to preserve the site. The lawsuit aims to compel the city to reconstruct the obelisk.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) is determined to push forward an important legislative update concerning Americans affected by radiation exposure due to government activities. He plans to introduce an amendment that would not only renew but also broaden the scope of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).
This amendment aims to extend benefits to additional states, including New Mexico, Missouri, Idaho, Montana, Guam, Colorado, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alaska.
In a persuasive message to his fellow Republican senators, Hawley highlighted the bipartisan support the reauthorization bill received in the Senate previously, emphasizing the nationwide impact and the moral imperative behind the legislation.
“Our reauthorization bill passed the Senate last summer with a strong bipartisan vote, and I am grateful for much support from our Conference,” Hawley stated. “Now, we must finish the job. There are RECA claimants in every state, including each of yours. They will benefit if this bill is passed. Simply put, this is the right thing to do.”
This legislative effort comes at a critical juncture, with a potential government shutdown looming by the week’s end if a budget consensus is not reached. The RECA, initially established in 1990, offers compensation to individuals affected by nuclear testing and uranium mining, primarily covering Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona residents and their descendants.
However, significant gaps remain, particularly for those Downwinders in New Mexico, the site of the 1945 Trinity atomic bomb test, and Missouri residents exposed through uranium processing activities at Mallinckrodt Chemical Works.
Although Joe Biden has previously extended the act, which was due to expire in 2022, for an additional two years, it faces expiration again this year without further legislative action. Senator Hawley, alongside Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-New Mexico), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), had successfully included the reauthorization and expansion in the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) last year.
Despite achieving a supermajority vote in the Senate, the amendment was not incorporated in the final NDAA version after the House conference, necessitating renewed efforts to secure its passage.
A legal battle is unfolding as the University of New Mexico (UNM) faces a lawsuit over imposing significant security fees on a conservative student group’s event.
The Southeastern Legal Foundation (SLF) has initiated a federal lawsuit against UNM for levying more than $5,000 in security costs for an event featuring Riley Gaines, a women’s sports advocate and former NCAA swimmer, organized by the university’s Turning Point USA chapter and supported by the Leadership Institute.
Gaines, who is known for her stance on women’s sports integrity and her competition against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, was invited to share her insights and advocacy for women’s sports.
However, the university’s demand for a substantial security fee, initially quoted at over $10,000, has sparked controversy and allegations of First Amendment violations.
The SLF contends that UNM’s approach to assessing security fees based on anticipated reactions to Gaines’ speech constitutes viewpoint and content discrimination, a stance they argue is unconstitutional.
“The invoice showed that twenty-seven officers were on-site, with several officers roaming and even an ‘arrest team’ standing by, even though the event was peaceful and only a few protestors showed up holding signs. UNM also admitted that the university consistently applies higher fees to Turning Point USA events,” SLF wrote in a release.
Despite objections and a formal warning from SLF, UNM proceeded to bill the organizing groups $5,384 for security, citing the deployment of twenty-seven officers and additional security measures, even though the event proceeded peacefully with minimal protest.
This legal challenge sheds light on the broader issues of free speech and the costs associated with securing events on college campuses, particularly those involving speakers with contentious viewpoints.
Riley Gaines’ advocacy and experiences have previously ignited debates and protests, underscoring the polarized reactions by leftists to discussions about wanting only biological women to compete in women’s sports.
Gaines recently visited New Mexico and held a rally in front of the Roundhouse to advocate for women’s rights.
In another act of desperation, far-left Democrat U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez once again attacked Republican former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell, who is running to reclaim the seat she previously held. Vasquez is doubling down in a blatant lie about Herrell’s views on in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Vasquez wrote in the melodramatic X post last week, “Extremist Yvette Herrell is in lockstep with Alabama’s Supreme Court. Republicans are taking away women’s reproductive healthcare rights & now they’re taking away the opportunity for loving couples to start a family. This is shameful & Herrell’s voting record is clear. Enough.”
Then in a recent fundraising email ironically titled “Hypocrites,” Vasquez’s team lied again, writing, “The Alabama Supreme Court just ruled on restricting access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Gabe’s extremist opponent, Yvette Herrell, has a voting record that proves she would support measures just like this one and MORE at the national level.”
“MAGA Republicans know they’re completely out of touch with the American people. Not only did they push policy to ban IVF treatments, but they voted against policy that would’ve protected it. Now, national Republicans are scrambling to get their candidates to flip-flop,” he wrote — another total lie.
However, Congresswoman Herrell is not against IVF. National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Delanie Bomar posted that “this is a blatant lie,” sharing an article from Axios that noted the former congresswoman’s position.
“Former Reps. Mayra Flores (R-Texas) and Yvette Herrell (R-N.M.), who are running for their old seats, said in statements to Axios that they support access to IVF,” read the article.
But despite the truth, which is so easily fact-checkable, Vasquez’s team continues to spew vicious and blatant lies. Vasquez is a supporter of abortion up-to-birth without exceptions — a true “extremist” and “radical” position for anyone, much less Vasquez, who is desperate to claim to be an “independent leader.”
Even more hilariously, Vasquez’s team wrote, “Just like her MAGA Republican counterparts, Yvette continues to parrot the national Republican playbook rather than actually campaigning on the priorities of the New Mexicans she’s supposedly running to represent. And Republicans continue to shamelessly try (and fail!) to reverse their extremist agenda.”
In reality, Vasquez is clinging to the latest national Democrat talking points to attack Herrell in an attempt to hold onto his seat that he narrowly won in 2022 by the slimmest of margins. Herrell, a former state lawmaker and former U.S. House sub-committee chairwoman, is giving Vasquez a run for his money in one of the most hotly contested races of the 2024 election cycle.
In a case that has captured national attention, Jany Leveille finds herself at the center of a legal storm after her involvement in a terrorist plot in New Mexico came to light. Leveille, a key figure in a group accused of establishing a training camp for terrorist activities in Taos County, has entered a guilty plea for her actions. According to KRQE News 13, federal authorities had initially agreed to a sentence cap of 17 years for Leveille despite the gravity of her offenses, which could have merited a life sentence under different circumstances.
The origins of this case can be traced back to 2018 when federal agents raided a secluded encampment in Taos County. The raid unveiled a shocking scene: a makeshift training ground where children were reportedly being prepared to launch attacks on governmental institutions and FBI agents. The authorities detained five adults, including Leveille, and discovered 11 children in a state of malnutrition. Leveille, a Haitian national, was purportedly the ideological and spiritual mentor of this group.
Investigations into the compound revealed a highly fortified setup, complete with a 100-foot escape tunnel, weapons caches, and a tactical training area designed to mimic real-life combat scenarios. Federal documents suggest that Leveille wielded significant influence over the group, particularly over Sirraj Wahhaj, whom she allegedly persuaded to marry her, thus securing her legal status in the United States.
Leveille’s role within the group extended beyond her marital manipulations. She was believed to have proclaimed herself a prophet, claiming to receive divine instructions. Her leadership included authoring a manuscript that outlined the group’s ideological beliefs and preparations for an impending conflict against those they deemed non-believers.
One of the most harrowing allegations against Leveille involves the kidnapping of Wahhaj’s son from Georgia. The child was reportedly brought to the compound, subjected to rituals purported to be exorcisms, and denied necessary medical treatment, leading to his tragic death in 2017. Federal authorities assert that Leveille attempted to conceal the child’s death, persuading her followers that he would be resurrected.
Leveille’s guilty plea in August to charges of illegal firearm possession and providing support to terrorists marked a significant development in the case. These charges, as noted by federal investigators, are severe enough to justify a life sentence in other contexts.
As Leveille awaits her sentencing, which is anticipated to fall between 12 and 17 years, the implications of her actions continue to reverberate through the community and the nation. Following the completion of her sentence, deportation is expected, marking the end of a chilling chapter in New Mexico’s history that has highlighted the persistent threats of domestic terrorism and the complexities of combating ideological extremism within the United States.
