Police

Los Alamos Police Chief Releases Q1 2026 Crime Statistics

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By DINO SGAMBELLONE
Chief of Police
Los Alamos County

Today, Chief Dino Sgambellone released crime statistics for the first quarter of 2026, which were compiled by the Records Section of the Los Alamos Police Department.

It’s encouraging to see that the downward trend from 2025 is carrying into 2026, with a solid 10  percent year-over-year decrease in overall crime.

While Crimes Against Persons and Property Crimes are both trending down, the jump in Crimes Against Society (from 1 to 5) serves as a reminder to stay vigilant. 

Since theft, fraud, and simple assault make up 75 percent of all reports, Read More

Traffic Alert: NM 4 Closed In Both Ways Due To Rollover

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LAPD Traffic Alert:

The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) reports that a stretch of N.M. 4 is closed in both directions due to a rollover accident on N.M. 4 at mile marker 49 – approximately one mile west of Bandelier National Monument.

Injuries in this accident are unknown, but Los Alamos Fire Department personnel are at the scene using the jaws of life to remove the driver.

Motorists should avoid the area and seek alternative routes. Read More

Wildlife Law Violation Checkpoints Begin Throughout State

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NMDGF News: 

SANTA FE — The Department of Wildlife is conducting checkpoints throughout the state this hunting and fishing season to collect biological data and to detect wildlife law violations.

As a result, the public may encounter minor delays. Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices.

Please report any wildlife crime or suspected crime that you may observe while enjoying New Mexico’s great outdoors. To report a wildlife crime, please Read More

FBI: Quemado Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearm Offense

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Quemado man pleaded guilty in federal court after law enforcement seized 13 firearms and ammunition from his property during a 2024 search.

According to court documents, in April 2024, the Catron County Sheriff’s Office was investigating residential burglaries and identified Chad Walter Gash, 43, as a person of interest. During that investigation, law enforcement determined that Gash had previously been convicted in Texas in 2014 of manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance and that he completed his sentence in October 2019. As a convicted felon, Gash Read More

FBI: Farmington Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearms Charge After Armed Carjacking

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Farmington man has pleaded guilty in federal court to federal firearms offenses following a 2022-armed carjacking in which he discharged a weapon.

According to court documents, April 10, 2022, Myles Cordelle Dan Padilla, 34, took a motor vehicle from John Doe by force with a firearm. As a previously convicted felon, Padilla is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Padilla pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and faces up to 15 years in prison at sentencing.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent Read More

FBI: Former Ohkay Owingeh Police Officer Pleads Guilty To Obstruction Of Justice

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A former Ohkay Owingeh Police Department officer has pleaded guilty to using his position to disclose sensitive information about a federal investigation.

According to court documents, Feb. 26, 2020, Justin Aguino, 31, a former police officer with the Ohkay Owingeh Police Department, placed a phone call to an individual and disclosed that a person that individual was in contact with was cooperating with federal authorities. Aguino made these statements to alert the individual to the person’s status as an informant, knowing that such disclosure could interfere Read More

FBI: Vanderwagen Man Charged With Assault

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Vanderwagen man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault that reportedly left the victim with serious injuries.

According to court documents, March 10, 2026, Larry Wilbur Begay, 66, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly struck the victim multiple times with a metal workout bar inside a residence in Vanderwagen, New Mexico. The victim then fled to a nearby residence and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

As a result of the assault, the victim suffered serious injuries, including fractures to his right femur, left fibula, right Read More

FBI: Shiprock Man Pleads Guilty To Abusing Minor And Faces Life In Prison

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor over a four-year period.

According to court documents, Brian Begay, 30, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, engaged in a pattern of sexual abuse against Jane Doe between 2015 and 2019, beginning when the victim was 12 and continuing until she was 16.

Begay pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact and faces up to life in prison at sentencing.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Read More

Taos County Sheriffs Recover Body Of Los Alamos Man Beneath Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

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Staff Report:

The Taos County Sheriff’s Office reports that it recovered the body of Chad Maestas, 19, of Los Alamos, on Sunday beneath the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.

The report indicates that Maestas jumped from the bridge.

Taos County Sheriff Steve Miera said that Maestas made two passes, circled around, and when security tried to intercept him, he got out of his vehicle and jumped over the bridge railing.

The Taos County Sheriff’s Office is investigating this death. Read More