crime

MLG gets ‘Public Safety Advocate’ award while New Mexicans fear for their lives

31 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a move that has left many scratching their heads, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce named Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham its “Public Safety Advocate” at Thursday’s 2025 Chamber and Legislative Awards. The ceremony recognized several lawmakers, but few accept the label “public safety advocate” while crime spirals and the governor targets lawful gun owners instead of criminals.

The award comes just months after a flurry of legislative failures on crime. Gov. Lujan Grisham lamented that lawmakers didn’t follow her lead on several public safety initiatives, which critics point out as proof she’s more interested in protecting political optics than actual citizens.

Mike Canfield of Valliant Consulting presented the award, praising the governor: “She has focused a bright spotlight on this issue, and despite her unwavering commitment to policy changes, more progress needs to be made.” The Chamber recounted that Lujan Grisham “told attendees she remains committed and will work with the Legislature in the months to come.”

Yet, while accepting accolades, she’s simultaneously escalating tension with New Mexicans over gun rights, with sweeping red-flag laws and expanding background checks aimed more at law-abiding gun owners than hardened criminals. This has inflamed backlash among Second Amendment supporters, who argue she’s politicizing constitutional rights instead of curbing violent crime.

That violence isn’t theoretical. Albuquerque’s Central Avenue Corridor—dubbed the “war zone”—has witnessed a surge in shootings and drug-related incidents. According to a recent CBS News snapshot, the city recorded 11 homicides in Q1 2025. Aggravated assaults hit 895, robberies at 153, and rapes at 48.

In April, responding to a request from APD Chief Harold Medina, Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency and dispatched 60–70 unarmed National Guard members to Albuquerque. Cloaked in civilian attire and operating in support roles—handling crime-scene security, traffic control, detainee transport, drone operations, and booking support—their job is to free up officers.

Local law enforcement is skeptical. Det. Shaun Willoughby, president of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association, asked, “What are they going to do? … They can’t intervene. They don’t have the authority to take anybody to jail. They’re not armed.” 

Despite critiques, often from law enforcement and the public at large, Gov. Lujan Grisham continues to portray herself as tough on crime. At the award event, she reiterated her intent to press for legislative reforms. But the optics of receiving a public safety honor while policing citizen rights and deploying troops to shield local police have many asking: Is this genuine leadership, or political theater?

Meanwhile, Albuquerque’s crime stats paint a dire picture. The city and state continue to suffer from an elevated rate of violence, especially among juveniles and in connection with the fentanyl epidemic.

If Michelle Lujan Grisham truly wants to redeem the public safety narrative, critics say she must move beyond awards and mandates. 

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Dems now victim-blaming NM Republicans after firebombing hate crime

25 Comments / Editorial, New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a show of complete shamelessness, New Mexico Democrats are blaming the victims — the New Mexico Republican Party and GOP officials — for being the target of a violent arson attack that blew up the entranceway to the Albuquerque headquarters. Rather than condemning the political violence outright, Democrats are inflaming tensions and inciting further hostility by recklessly targeting GOP leaders like Reps. John Block (R-Alamogordo), Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park), and Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Barela. Their dangerous and provably false rhetoric not only undermines the gravity of the violence but also puts these officials at direct risk.

While the FBI and ATF investigate the fire as a suspected arson — with fire-starting materials recovered from the scene — Democrat leaders have chosen to escalate, not de-escalate. State Democrats issued a press release loaded with inflammatory claims, including the absurd accusation that Republican lawmakers had been part of a crowd “calling for murder.” Not only is this untrue, it’s libelous, as pointed out by Rep. Lord. 

Rep. John Block — who is the editor and founder of the Piñon Post —was not even present at the event in question, and despite repeated attempts by Democrats to link him to the January 6 Capitol incursion, he never set foot inside or near the building nor participated in any violence. His presence at a peaceful rally attended by 53,000+ other peaceful Trump supporters — miles from the Capitol steps — appears to be another tired and debunked attempt to tie him to violence.

Chairwoman Amy Barela made clear during a Monday press conference: “This was not just an attack on our building. This was an attack on our values, our free speech, and the right of every New Mexican that wants to participate in the democratic process without fear.” She also revealed to Fox News that the targeted attack was being investigated as a hate crime.

But instead of standing with those under threat, Democrats doubled down. Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez, whose words to “legislate, litigate, agitate” were cited by Republicans as dangerously timed mere hours before the firebombing, dismissed concerns with shocking callousness. 

In comments to KOB 4, she accused Republicans of hypocrisy for condemning violence instead of apologizing for her call to “agitate,” claiming, “It’s ludicrous to have Republicans, who themselves have participated in violent protests, to accuse me of inciting violence.” She added, “We actually passed the sign of peace” at her town hall — an empty gesture in light of the inflammatory language she used just before the GOP headquarters went up in flames.

Leger Fernandez’s attempt to turn the blame onto Rep. Block — lying that he was involved in violent protests — further inflames the situation and spreads outright disinformation. These reckless allegations endanger GOP leaders by portraying them as instigators of violence when, in reality, they have consistently and unequivocally condemned it, including the January 6 unrest.

Instead of answering the call to stand above the violence they have inflamed, Democrats released a memorandum weaponizing the tragedy to smear GOP leaders with fabricated associations to extremism, referencing long-debunked connections and even citing the crimes of individuals wholly unrelated to the party’s current leadership. The memo accuses Chairwoman Barela of turning a blind eye to extremism simply because she has appeared in photos with GOP figures like Voice of America chief Kari Lake and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene — a clear attempt at guilt by association rather than substantive critique.

Rep. Stefani Lord called the Democratic Party’s allegations “libelous,” and Sen. Nicole Tobiassen said their claims are “desperate.”

In the face of a violent attack, New Mexico Republicans have called for unity, calm, and a return to civility. Democrats, however, have responded with personal attacks, misinformation, and what amounts to political gaslighting — accusing their opponents of the very behaviors they themselves are fueling.

Rather than take responsibility for inflaming tensions, Rep. Leger Fernandez and her allies are engaging in dangerous victim-blaming — further endangering those already under attack. If Democrats genuinely oppose political violence, they should begin by ceasing the kind of reckless rhetoric that invites it.

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Las Cruces shooting suspect’s dark past: NM Dems killed bills to stop these crimes

24 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The only adult thus far charged in connection with Friday night’s mass shooting at Las Cruces’ Young Park had previously faced serious criminal charges in Texas — including smuggling offenses that prosecutors say point to his danger to the public.

Court documents from El Paso County show that 20-year-old Tomas Rivas was charged in January 2024 with four counts of smuggling persons and one count of evading arrest. His criminal history dates back to 2021 when he was 17 and arrested for transporting an illegal immigrant.

These past and pending charges are now part of the evidence presented by the 3rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office in a motion to keep Rivas in jail pending trial. Prosecutors argue that no conditions of release would ensure public safety.

“[He] has a history of criminal activity which appears to be gang-related,” the District Attorney’s Office noted in its pretrial detention motion. Rivas, they added, has been residing in Las Cruces for some time and is employed at a local Sonic Drive-In.

Rivas is among four individuals — including three teenagers — charged in the deadly shooting that killed three young people and wounded 15 others. According to police, multiple people opened fire into a crowd during an unsanctioned car show at Young Park. The victims were identified as Dominick Estrada, 19; Andrew “AJ” Madrid, 16; and Jason Gomez, 17.

Rivas and the three teens — two 17-year-olds and a 15-year-old — each face three counts of first-degree murder. Police said Rivas and one of the teens attempted to dispose of four handguns in a dumpster. Those firearms, all semi-automatic pistols, were later recovered.

Authorities also reported that one teen sought refuge in a nearby apartment, where a resident later found another gun that belonged to him. All three juveniles were booked into the juvenile unit of the Doña Ana County jail, while Rivas was held in the adult section after being arrested on Las Cruces’ north side.

Third Judicial District Attorney Fernando Macias told the Albuquerque Journal that he plans to prosecute all four as adults. “The first thing that we’re going to address, hopefully very quickly, is keeping them in custody,” Macias said. He added that under New Mexico law, suspects over age 15 can be charged as adults.

The shooting, which shook the Las Cruces community, follows years of concerns about youth involvement in criminal smuggling operations along the El Paso-Sunland Park corridor. Law enforcement and school officials have long observed how teenagers in the Borderland are recruited into these networks, sometimes with deadly outcomes. Federal agencies like the U.S. Border Patrol have been working for over a decade with local schools in attempts to curb recruitment.

Court filings suggest Rivas may have been involved in such a smuggling network.

As of Monday, prosecutors had filed a motion for pretrial detention. Rivas’ attorney, Thomas Clark, told the Journal he expected a hearing to be scheduled later in the week. Attorneys have also been appointed to represent the juveniles.

Meanwhile, despite repeated concerns from law enforcement, prosecutors, Republicans, and even Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham about rising juvenile violence, Democrat lawmakers in the New Mexico House and Senate declined to advance legislation during the recently concluded 60-day legislative session that would have strengthened penalties or accountability measures for violent juvenile offenders.

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Dems’ so-called ‘crime package’ sparks fury on all political sides

29 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A proposed legislative package aimed at addressing crime in New Mexico is moving forward in the House despite concerns from lawmakers and advocacy groups about its effectiveness. House Bill 8, which encompasses six crime-related bills, has sparked debate over whether it strikes the right balance between public safety and criminal justice reform. The bill, now headed to the House floor, proposes tougher penalties for fentanyl trafficking, school shooting threats, and auto theft, as well as restrictions on firearm conversion devices. Additionally, it includes significant changes to the state’s criminal competency system, a move that has drawn both support and criticism.

Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, the bill’s sponsor, defended the package, stating, “This is in response to public interest and our commitment to the public to address crime swiftly. We are doing that through a collection of bills that I think are very meaningful.” She acknowledged that the package is not perfect but emphasized that it had been carefully crafted after months of work. “I felt that it was important to have bills where we got some consensus and we felt that people could get behind,” she added.

A key component of the bill focuses on reforming how New Mexico handles criminal defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial. The proposed changes would allow for mental health treatment for individuals accused of misdemeanors and low-level felonies who would otherwise be released without further intervention. Under the new system, non-dangerous defendants could be ordered into a 90-day community-based competency restoration program, or prosecutors could pursue involuntary civil commitment or assisted outpatient treatment. Chandler described this as a “balanced” and “compassionate” approach to addressing competency concerns.

Public defenders and legal experts, however, have raised questions about the practical implementation of these reforms. Second Judicial District Defender Dennica Torres expressed skepticism, noting that while the changes may be beneficial in theory, the state lacks the behavioral health infrastructure to support them effectively. “Do we have the staff? Do we have the evaluators? Do we have the attorneys? Do we have enough judges?” she asked, emphasizing the logistical challenges of implementing the proposed measures.

Opposition to HB 8 has come from multiple angles. Republican lawmakers have argued that the package does not go far enough in addressing crime, particularly juvenile crime. Rep. Nicole Chavez, R-Albuquerque, criticized the package for not imposing harsher penalties on young offenders. “I don’t think this package is going to address crime as far as what I think it needs to do,” said Rep. Andrea Reeb, R-Clovis, after voting against the bill.

Meanwhile, the Public Safety Coalition, which includes 11 organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, condemned the bill, stating that it would lead to unnecessary incarceration and forced psychiatric treatment. “This so-called public safety package is not going to achieve actual safety; it will only create new crimes, lengthen sentences, and use the criminal legal system to force people into psychiatric facilities that have yet to be built,” the coalition said in a statement. Lana Weber, interim director of public policy for the ACLU of New Mexico, echoed this sentiment, arguing that coerced care and forced hospitalization often worsen the very issues they aim to resolve.

Some lawmakers also objected to the bundling of multiple crime-related proposals into a single package, a practice that has been used in past legislative sessions. Rep. Matthew McQueen, D-Galisteo, voiced concerns about being asked to vote on a collection of bills with varying degrees of support. “There are lots of elements of this that I support; there’s at least one that I don’t. And I’m just troubled by that,” he said. Despite his reservations, McQueen ultimately voted to advance the package but noted that he may reconsider his stance when it reaches the House floor.

Chandler acknowledged that the bill will need to work alongside efforts to expand New Mexico’s behavioral health system. The Senate is currently advancing a separate package of bills that would establish a $1 billion trust fund, allocate $140 million in immediate funding, and implement a regional planning process for behavioral health services. While these measures could help address concerns about infrastructure shortages, some lawmakers worry they won’t be enough. “I think there’ll still be a little bit of an unmet need, but that will just accelerate our interest in developing a mental health program,” Chandler said.

As the debate continues, House Speaker Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque, indicated that HB 8 could be up for a vote in the coming days. While proponents see the package as a necessary step toward improving public safety, critics remain concerned about its long-term consequences. “This isn’t the end. This is obviously just the start. But I think it’s a really good start,” Chandler said, underscoring the importance of ongoing discussions to refine the state’s approach to crime and mental health.

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As MLG enters her last 60-day session, Dem infighting likely to sink crime agenda

13 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham enters her final 60-day legislative session with a sharp focus on addressing New Mexico’s crime crisis, which has escalated to unprecedented levels. Her push for a slate of public safety measures—including stiffer penalties for repeat offenders, firearm restrictions, and reforms to criminal competency laws—reflects an acknowledgment of the urgency to restore safety and accountability in the state. However, her own political decisions have created significant obstacles to achieving these goals.

During her tenure, Lujan Grisham orchestrated a reshaping of the Democrat caucus, targeting moderate, pragmatic lawmakers in primary elections and replacing them with progressive allies. 

While this move consolidated her influence, it also sidelined legislators who were more open to bipartisan approaches to crime policy. The result is a Legislature where many Democrats now vehemently oppose tougher penalties, preferring instead to focus on measures like expanded “behavioral health services” and “free” housing initiatives. This ideological shift has left the governor grappling with resistance from within her own party as she attempts to push through her public safety agenda, while also delivering on these ineffective, woke social programs that are proven not to aid in battling crime.

The fallout from last summer’s special session underscores the challenges of this political realignment. The governor’s proposals—ranging from stricter pretrial detention laws to reforms for handling mentally incompetent defendants—were met with a cold shoulder from the very lawmakers she helped elect. The session ended without a single bill advancing, an outcome the governor described as one of the most disappointing days of her career. Her frustration was palpable as she accused legislators of a “dereliction of duty,” but the impasse highlighted her inability to bridge the ideological divide within her own party.

“We all agree that there were a lot of sort of missteps before, in the calling [of the special session] and right after,” she said, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. “Those missteps, on both sides, are not creating a perception that we can’t work together for any of us in this session. That should not translate to that my job is ever easy or that they think that I’m going to be a pushover. We’re going to come to, I think, the best balance that we’ve ever had. Let’s see if I’m right.”

Despite these setbacks, Lujan Grisham has shown determination to tackle crime. She has held town halls across the state to rally public support and has urged New Mexicans to pressure their representatives to act. Her administration has prepared up to 35 crime-related bills for the session, reflecting a comprehensive, if controversial, approach to addressing public safety. The governor’s emphasis on combating violent crime, holding repeat offenders accountable, and addressing gun violence through measures like assault weapon bans and stricter penalties for felons in possession of firearms resonates with many New Mexicans fed up with the status quo.

However, the governor’s vision faces significant hurdles. Progressive lawmakers and advocacy groups remain skeptical of approaches that punish violent criminals, clinging to the belief that they fail to address the root causes of crime and may infringe on constitutional rights. 

Resistance has also emerged from law enforcement leaders and judges, who question the feasibility of implementing some proposals given the state’s limited behavioral health infrastructure and workforce shortages, according to the New Mexican. 

Even within the Democrat leadership, there is a reluctance to fully embrace Lujan Grisham’s agenda, with Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth cautioning against rushing into measures that could have unintended consequences.

“These are complex, really tricky constitutional issues,” Wirth said. “You can’t pass laws if the infrastructure is not there to get the people the help they need.”

Adding to the complexity is the governor’s mixed messaging about bipartisanship. While she has called for unity in addressing public safety, her political maneuvers have often deepened divisions. Many Republicans, who have long championed tougher crime policies, view her recent proposals as a delayed acknowledgment of the crisis. 

House Minority Whip Alan Martinez noted that Democrats are now adopting ideas Republicans have introduced for years, albeit under different branding. For their part, GOP lawmakers have signaled readiness to work on crime solutions, even as they remain skeptical of the governor’s ability to navigate the legislative gridlock she helped create.

Lujan Grisham’s political legacy is at stake as she seeks to deliver public safety reforms in the waning years of her governorship. The state’s violent crime rate remains among the highest in the nation, with cities like Albuquerque and Santa Fe grappling with repeat offenses, drug abuse, and homelessness. Albuquerque, run by progressive Democrat Mayor Tim Keller, was recently ranked the 20th most dangerous city in the world.

The governor has acknowledged the systemic failures contributing to the crisis, describing it as a breaking point requiring punitive and preventative solutions. Yet her ability to enact meaningful change will depend on overcoming the ideological divisions she has fostered and building consensus across the aisle.

While Lujan Grisham’s newly found crime focus is interesting, given her years-long attacks on New Mexicans’ constitutional rights, her strategy of sidelining moderate voices in favor of a far-left agenda in elections has undercut her ability to rally broad support for critical reforms. 

New Mexicans need action, not political posturing, to ensure safer communities. Whether the governor can deliver on her promises or remains mired in partisan deadlock will define her final chapter in office. However, the ball is entirely in the Democrats’ court, and if they fail to produce results, it is entirely on them — especially since they hold the governorship and wide majorities in both chambers of the legislature.

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NY Times skewers Lujan Grisham for her epic failures on stopping crime

31 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s tenure has become a political lightning rod, sparking criticism from both Republicans and members of her own Democratic Party. As reported by The New York Times, the state faces severe challenges, including a violent crime rate double the national average and a homelessness crisis spiraling out of control. Critics argue that Lujan Grisham’s leadership has failed to deliver meaningful solutions, instead amplifying the state’s issues and alienating her political allies.

“More violent crime went unsolved in New Mexico in 2023 than in any other state,” according to Times, citing data from the Council of State Governments Justice Center. This alarming statistic highlights the inadequacies of the state’s criminal justice system, which remains overwhelmed by skyrocketing crime rates and insufficient resources. Lujan Grisham’s attempts to address these issues, such as a proposed gun ban in Albuquerque, have only exacerbated tensions. Even New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, a Democrat, opposed the gun ban, underscoring her growing isolation within her party.

While the report acknowledges that Lujan Grisham is “trying to strike a balance between a liberal and a pragmatic approach,” it bluntly notes that “she hasn’t always succeeded.” Her policies have drawn criticism from progressives like Las Cruces City Councilor Johana Bencomo, who condemned the governor’s approach to crime and homelessness, stating, “We are going back to policies we know do not work.” Meanwhile, Republicans have seized the opportunity to amplify these failures, framing them as emblematic of broader Democrat mismanagement.

The article also reveals the human toll of New Mexico’s unchecked crime crisis. It recounts the harrowing murder of police officer Jonah Hernandez in Las Cruces, killed by a mentally ill individual with a history of violent behavior. 

The incident underscores the inadequacies of the state’s mental health system, which remains in disarray despite the governor’s rhetoric about reform. “More mental health resources” are desperately needed, according to critics, who argue that Lujan Grisham’s solutions are insufficient for the scale of the crisis.

Even Democrat lawmakers are growing frustrated. When Lujan Grisham called a special legislative session to push her crime-related proposals, it ended in less than a day, with lawmakers refusing to back her measures. Undeterred, she has resorted to public town halls to gain grassroots support, but her rhetoric often seems more performative than productive.

“Ms. Lujan Grisham said she had been approached by a man with a machete on the sidewalk outside a business in Albuquerque, even with her security detail present,” the Times reported — an unverified and likely false account by the governor that she has used to garner sympathy. 

As New Mexico struggles under the weight of unsolved crime, rampant homelessness, and systemic failures, Lujan Grisham’s leadership appears to have galvanized her opponents while splintering her support base. The New York Timesarticle paints a damning portrait of a governor whose ambitions and policies are increasingly out of sync with the realities faced by her constituents.

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Why NM’s crime crisis won’t end under ‘progressive’ rule

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Elections have consequences. Unfortunately, so-called “progressive” Democrats continue to hold a commanding majority in our state’s House of Representatives and Senate. Representation from both sides of the aisle and diversity of thought are pillars of a functioning and balanced government, but our reality in New Mexico is of one-party rule. This stranglehold on our institutions continues to halt progress and miss the mark when it comes to truly addressing our state’s out-of-control crime rate. 

Earlier this year, my fellow Senate Republicans collaborated across the aisle with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham during her special legislative session to make strides in addressing public safety. Included were measures to expand criminal competency protocols and increase penalties for felons in possession of firearms, distributing fentanyl, and murdering law enforcement officers. We also introduced proposals to secure our open southern border, an issue New Mexicans and Americans at large support, in order to combat the cartel’s trafficking of drugs, humans, and contraband. An additional measure we introduced would have strengthened our state’s lackluster Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) statute in order to pursue organized criminal activity more effectively and expand the capabilities of prosecutors, specifically, expanding human trafficking sentencing. This measure, along with several of the aforementioned proposals were created with and supported by District Attorneys and law enforcement leaders from around the state and from both sides of the aisle. 

Unfortunately, as we all know, each and every one of these measures never saw the light of day. Progressive Democrat lawmakers killed the Governor’s Special Session focused on public safety, ending the session almost immediately and refusing to hear ANY legislation addressing crime and safety.

I attended this summer’s special legislative session to witness firsthand how our elected officials would address the crime epidemic my family experiences in Albuquerque every day. I was disappointed, to say the least. Make no mistake, as the only Republican Senator from Albuquerque, I will uphold my responsibility to work toward making our community a safer place for families to live and thrive. 

These proposed measures are commonsense and practical. They hold criminals accountable, deter criminal activity, and strengthen our law enforcement. The progressive wing of the Democrat party, which has immense influence and power in our state’s legislature, disagrees. They would rather stall these proposals and instead push an entirely different ideological agenda. It was recently announced that Senate Democrats plan to introduce a “crime package” that narrowly focuses on expanding behavioral health programs. This somehow will reduce the level of violence we see every day from juveniles, repeat offenders, and gangs in our state. 

While we as Republicans remain optimistic and plan to re-introduce several of these comprehensive solutions, progressive Democrat lawmakers will most likely reject each of these proposals and further miss the mark on addressing our crime crisis. As a result, New Mexico families would continue to suffer from our crime crisis in communities throughout our state. 

Elections have consequences. Our communities will not become safer under the continued leadership of radical progressives. We will fight in Santa Fe, but the real fight is on the ground with grassroots organizing in key communities to continue to expand the realignment of the Republican Party in New Mexico.

Nicole Toiassen is the senator-elect for New Mexico’s 21st state Senate District.

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Human skulls and a 2019 disappearance: The chilling Jal, NM case

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Authorities in Lea County, New Mexico, are investigating a chilling discovery of human remains near the town of Jal, with evidence that could potentially link the remains to a missing persons case dating back to 2019. The investigation began on November 5, when a local resident contacted the Lea County Sheriff’s Office after an unusual and unsettling experience.

The resident had given a ride to a man who allegedly made “alarming statements” and, during the ride, discarded items from the vehicle — some of which appeared to be human bones.

Following this encounter, deputies conducted a search around the man’s location and a nearby convenience store, uncovering fragments later confirmed by a pathologist to be human remains. The investigation intensified when officials discovered the man had been staying on a property rumored to be associated with human remains. After searching this property the following day, authorities found additional bone fragments.

The case took an even more disturbing turn on Saturday, November 9, when another search revealed evidence pointing to “10–20 human skulls.” While initial reports suggested the presence of intact skulls, officials clarified that they had found fragmented skull bones, which could represent remains from approximately 10 to 20 people.

According to KOB News, an NBC affiliate in Albuquerque, the bone fragments are being analyzed to help with identification and to determine whether there is a connection to any known missing persons cases.

Sheriff Corey Helton noted that investigators are focusing on a potential link to Angela McManes, who vanished in 2019 and was last known to live near the property currently under investigation. “Authorities are working diligently to determine the connection between the remains and McManes, as well as other possible victims,” the Sheriff’s Office stated. Sheriff Helton reassured the public, stating, “I know our viewers are concerned, but I can tell you, we don’t have a serial killer walking around.”

While no charges have been filed yet in connection to the remains, the man is currently being held in jail on an unrelated charge. According to reports from KOB, the man claimed that someone had purchased the skulls from an online source, and officials are now working with an anthropologist to verify this claim. The investigation remains active, and authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to contact the Lea County Sheriff’s Office.

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‘Keep their a**es in jail!’ MLG slammed over failed crime policy at ABQ town hall

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At a town hall meeting on Monday night at Central New Mexico Community College, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham faced intense scrutiny from residents, including poignant testimony from Sally Sanchez, who lost her son Antonio Jaramillo to violence in 2020. Sanchez shared her heartache directly with the governor, saying, “I, Governor, am the one with a life sentence. I will never get to hear my son’s voice again.”

Sanchez, co-founder of the New Mexico Crusaders for Justice, urged the governor to address concerns about the revolving door of repeat violent offenders. Her advocacy group, which supports families affected by murder, joined several others in pressing for stronger measures to keep repeat offenders behind bars.

Governor Lujan Grisham responded by acknowledging the issue, stating, “Too many cases are not being prosecuted.” She emphasized the need to enhance the justice system to ensure “dangerous people who are convicted of crimes stay in jail until they’re held accountable” while also investing in prevention programs.

This town hall was part of a series aimed at tackling public safety concerns. Lujan Grisham’s earlier town hall in Las Cruces lasted five hours and attracted over 500 attendees. The final town hall is set for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in Española at the Northern New Mexico College Event Center.

During Monday’s event, Lujan Grisham was joined by a panel including Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, APS Chief Harold Medina, and Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen — all Democrats. The meeting, which extended nearly four hours, allowed the governor to hear directly from the public about their concerns, ranging from mental health services to criminal justice reform.

Attendees voiced frustration over what they perceived as ineffective responses to crime. One participant, expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of legislative action, said, “I’m tired of people getting like strategies, strategies, strategies. It’s like a football team you’re out there in the huddle you’re all strategizing, yet nobody says ‘Break let’s get out there on the field and actually do the work.’”

The governor also faced interruptions from five young protesters who repeatedly disrupted the meeting to protest U.S. involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict before being escorted out by police.

William Davis, who survived a shooting in Albuquerque 25 years ago, called for a reconsideration of the Bill Davis Kids, Car and Crime Law, which was overturned by the New Mexico Supreme Court after an ACLU lawsuit.

Lujan Grisham had previously proposed several public safety bills during a special legislative session earlier this month, including measures to address panhandling and reduce criminal offenses among individuals deemed incompetent to stand trial. 

However, the Legislature only passed a funding bill for wildfire relief and mental health programs, leaving her other proposals unaddressed.

The governor has until August 7 to sign the funding bill, which authorizes $100 million for wildfire relief and $3 million for expanding a judicial mental health program.

State Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park), who was at the town hall, wrote on social media, “Tensions are high here at the Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham crime town hall. The meeting started with interruptions and booing. People are angry and sick of the crime!”

She added, “It is surreal to hear the Governor discussing bills I have presented, like pretrial detention, to address crime.  Yet, how many years have MLG and the radical Dems REFUSED to pass anything to protect the citizens of New Mexico? And now, all of a sudden, crime is an issue in an election year? Where the hell has MLG been all these years? Why do the radical progressives want criminals loose on the streets to re-offend? Why do they REFUSE to listen to the people? It’s time to stop screwing the people with partisan politics and pass common-sense crime bills!”

As the governor prepares for the final town hall in Española, she continues to grapple with public outrage over the lack of action on crime during her over-six-year tenure. 

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‘Self-righteous’ MLG throws ‘tantrum’ at Dems who killed crime special session

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On Thursday, the New Mexico Legislature convened a special session called by Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to address public safety measures. The session aimed to consider eight bills related to criminal competency standards, mental health treatment, crime reporting, pedestrian safety, gun violence, drug overdoses, and wildfire relief. In the final hours before the session, the governor added three additional bills targeting fentanyl distribution and racketeering.

However, the Democrat-run House and Senate adjourned within five hours, and none of the governor’s public safety measures were enacted. The only legislation passed was HB 1, known as the “feed bill,” which allocated funds for wildfire damage relief and other expenses, including:

  • $10 million to the Mescalero Tribe for fire damage
  • $10 million for statewide wildfire mitigation
  • $10 million for FEMA-related public assistance
  • $70 million for zero-interest loans to repair infrastructure
  • $3 million for mental health programs
  • $211,900 for the special session costs

Republicans in the House attempted to add $10 million to the appropriation via a floor amendment to send equipment and resources to New Mexico’s border regions to help apprehend the flow of deadly Chinese fentanyl seeping through the southern border. Democrats refused even to consider the amendment, claiming it was not “germane” despite fentanyl being in the governor’s proclamation. The Democrats voted to kill the amendment on a party-line vote.

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, emphasized on the Senate floor that he urged the governor to sign the provisions into law to rebuild collaborative relationships between government branches, as the relationship has deteriorated as Democrats have rejected the governor’s proposals.

Leading Democrat legislators expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the governor’s proposed bills, particularly regarding mental health legislation, which they claimed lacked input from relevant advocates. Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth stated, “We certainly look forward to working with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. We have done some terrific work together. And I hope we can continue to do that work.” House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, noted the equal branches of government, asserting that the Legislature has previously invested significantly in public safety.

Following the session’s adjournment, Governor Lujan Grisham issued a sharp rebuke of the Legislature’s inaction:

“This legislature just demonstrated that it has no interest in making New Mexico safer. Not one public safety measure was considered. Not one, despite the bills having the backing of police chiefs, public safety unions, mayors, prosecutors, businesses, tribal leaders, crime victims, and others who have seen firsthand the erosion of public safety that has deeply damaged the quality of life in our state.”

She continued, highlighting her recent visit to a neighborhood plagued by crime and criticizing the Legislature for ignoring these stark realities:

“The legislature as a body walked away from their most important responsibility: keeping New Mexicans safe… The legislature should be embarrassed at their inability to summon even an ounce of courage to adopt common-sense legislation to make New Mexicans safer.”

Governor Lujan Grisham called the day “one of the most disappointing” of her career and urged the public to be outraged. She promised to continue fighting for the safety of New Mexicans.

Blogger Pete Dinelli opined, “The only thing the Governor accomplished is having a little temper tantrum complete with self-righteous rhetoric for all the world to see for not getting her way that was beneath the dignity of her office.”

‘Self-righteous’ MLG throws ‘tantrum’ at Dems who killed crime special session Read More »

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