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
LAPD News:
The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) reports that two vehicles have crashed with airbags deployed at Arkansas and Diamond Drive.
Traffic will be directed to alternate side streets until the tow truck arrives and clears the scene. Read More
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A Zuni man was indicted on federal sexual abuse charges related to an alleged assault.
According to court records, on June 11, 2024, Karl Devain Escobar, 33, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, engaged in a sex act with Jane Doe using force and without her consent.
Escobar is charged with sexual abuse and aggravated sexual abuse. He will remain in third party custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted, Escobar faces up to life in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau Read More
By WENDY BURKE-RYAN and LISA READER
LASOA
Hey, livestock owners! Do you know what’s required by New Mexico to move your horses, bovines, pigs, llamas and goats in case of evacuation due to wildfire? Do you know exit strategies, options, and rules?
Come to a Fire/Emergency Response and Planning Meeting for livestock owners, at 6 p.m. Monday, April 6, at the Posse Lodge.
Los Alamos Wildland Fire Chief Van Leimer and Los Alamos Deputy Emergency Manager Cody Ulrich will present to us and answer questions about Emergency Planning and Fire Preparedness and Response.
Los Alamos Stable Owners Association Read More
By Cmdr. CHRISTOPHER ROSS
Los Alamos Police Department
As some of you may know, Los Alamos County Animal Shelter has been without cats for adoption for some time. This is thanks to our amazing community’s support of spay and neuter efforts, which have helped prevent an overpopulation of kittens and puppies. This has allowed our shelter to reach out to other animal shelters and rescue groups in need of clearing out space to help their own communities.
In this case, we were able to connect with what we believed to be a legitimate rescue in Texas that was in need of help with cats trying to find their forever Read More
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man was sentenced to life in prison plus 60 months after a federal jury convicted him on kidnapping charges stemming from a 2018 abduction, following nearly seven years on the run from law enforcement.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in 2018, just weeks after his release from prison for a felony firearm conviction stemming from a high-speed police chase, and while under court supervision and wearing a GPS ankle monitor, Jose Ramirez, 47, engineered a calculated and violent kidnapping-for-ransom Read More
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A Silver City man has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing firearms and ammunition after previously being convicted of a felony.
According to court documents, on Dec. 10, 2024, officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Max Flores, 54, a previously convicted felon with an active arrest warrant who was on federal probation after serving 168 months in federal prison and located a firearm in the vehicle. On April 26, 2025, following an unrelated incident, officers executed a search warrant at Flores’ residence and recovered several firearms Read More
FBI News:
High school students interested in spending time with the FBI in Albuquerque or Las Cruces are encouraged to apply for the agency’s 2026 Teen Academy.
The Las Cruces Teen Academy will take place June 10–12, 2026.
The Albuquerque Teen Academy will take place from July 6–July 10, 2026.
Applications will be accepted through the end of business April 24, 2026.
The FBI Teen Academy allows students who will be in high school during the 2026/2027 school year an opportunity to experience the inner workings of today’s FBI.
The FBI’s Teen Academy program in Albuquerque and Las Cruces allows high Read More
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A federal grand jury has indicted a U.S. Border Patrol agent for allegedly assaulting a handcuffed detainee and later concealing evidence to obstruct an investigation.
According to court records, May 22, 2023, Eduardo Prat, 40, allegedly strangled John Doe while performing his official duties as a Border Patrol agent in Doña Ana County, N.M. John Doe was handcuffed at the time of the alleged assault.
Subsequently, between May 22 and June 12, 2023, Prat allegedly concealed and covered up a body camera recording of the assault.
Prat is charged in federal court with deprivation Read More
AWA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action (AWA) today commended the swift and decisive actions of the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office in dismantling an illegal cockfighting operation in southeastern New Mexico that drew more than 100 participants. New Mexico was the 49th state to ban cockfighting, only outlawing staged knife fights between birds in 2007, with the late Gov. Bill Richardson strongly advocating for the prohibition.
According to local reporting, deputies acted on a tip and discovered a large gathering tied to an active cockfighting ring, detaining multiple individuals Read More