SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin was found not guilty Wednesday of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register House approves retail crime bill that could lead to Amid a recent rise in retail theft, a bill giving prosecutors the ability to charge individuals convicted of stealing large amounts of merchandise from I-40 westbound closed overnight in Gallup; storm headed to New Mexico is shutting down Interstate New Mexico is shutting down Interstate 40 westbound in Gallup in response to a winter storm in Arizona. We never charge for local news. If youre an officer, you should be fired one time, Peterson said. We won't share it with anyone else. Many, if not most should be considered armed and dangerous. Records show, he was previously fired from the Yavapai County Sheriffs Office for lying to a supervisor. The Town hires substandard officers with extensive misconduct records to save money.. If you come across them, do not attempt to apprehend them yourself. There was a problem saving your notification. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. James McFadden served from 1931 to 1936. After consulting with law enforcement officials in both Espaola and Taos, it was decided that Trujillos retirement would be a good way to resolve it.. Petersons charges were eventually dropped. He recently began serving his sentence there after he was convicted earlier this month of felony counts for helping Chacon avoid arrest in 2017 and directing a deputy not to tell anyone. Lujan told Lattin not to say anything or tell anyone where they were going, Lattin said. His wife was the second schoolteacher to come to Phoenix. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. The American Civil Liberties Union and Rothstein Donatelli LLC have filed a lawsuit against the Rio Arriba Sheriff's Office (RASO) on behalf of Tabitha Clay, a reporter who was reportedly harassed by the county's deputies in 2019. The charges, which were later dismissed by prosecutors, were based on false statements filed by a team of officers with histories of misconduct, dishonesty, and crimes. Roach was described as "slow-talking, easy-going officer," and he focused on the scientific investigation of crime. phaywood@sfnewmexican.com, Newly elected Santa Fe County magistrate arrested on DWI charge, Police: Walmart shooting suspect's case dismissed under DA's DWI policy, Santa Fe Bite has new owners, but old owners remain on board, Another troubled Espaola complex teeters, Accused judge removed from bench in wake of DWI charge, Longtime weatherman forecasts a new life outside TV, Concerns crop up about old assault charges against Indian Affairs appointee, Yo, Governor: You're not paying for the highways, Farmer switching crops: No green in chile anymore, Predictions: Horsemen go all the way; Demons upset everyone, Volunteer adopts dog who struggled to find permanent home, Peacenik vs. secretive senator for Capitol dishonor. Lujan turned in his resignation following the verdict. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. But should you turn them in? @Copwatchtv obtained lapel footage from different officers of a March 26th, 2020 incident, Espaola Police and New Mexico State Police were executing a sear. Paul Blubaum served in office from 1973-76, according toArizona Fraternal Order of Police. Trujillo faces charges of Criminal Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Assault upon a Peace Officer with a deadly weapon after he allegedly ordered deputies to draw their guns at Espaola Police & Taos County Sheriffs Deputies as they served a search warrant for Lujans mobile phone in May 2020. I believe the jury had serious reservations and doubts about the prosecutions case, he said. Lujan turned in his resignation following the verdict. Rio Arriba County Seat: 149 State Rd. Can we let anybody else in the vehicle go through this?. Paul Penzone went up against Joe Arpaio in the 2012 sheriff's race and again in 2016. He also served two terms as county treasurerand was a rancher and businessman, according to Arizona Fraternal Order of Police. His attorney told the Rio Grande Sun in 2019 that Aquino, who is from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, was treated differently than other officers because he is Native American. The Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training Board is the state agency that licenses cops. Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan was sentenced on Thursday morning after being convicted of aiding a felon and intimidating a witness. The arrest was also captured on body camera and shows Ensley taser Maughn after he was handcuffed and laying on the ground. Sheriff at Rio Arriba Sheriffs Office Espanola, New Mexico, United States. Published: Friday, June 4th, 2021 at 3:32PMUpdated: Saturday, June 5th, 2021 at 12:07AM. Trujillo is accused of ordering deputies to draw their firearms against officers from the Espaola Police Department and the Taos County Sheriffs Office, who were attempting to execute a search warrant on Trujillos then boss, Sheriff James Lujan. Navarrette flashed the officer his badge, according to the footage. Tabitha Clay is an investigative journalist with a focus on criminal justice and policing. It was Officer Richard Mueller, whos worked for four different law enforcement agencies. The Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Office is committed to working in a problem-solving partnership. 'Cliffs of Dover' guitarist Eric Johnson bringing tour to Grammy-winning guitarist Eric Johnson will make Grammy-winning guitarist Eric Johnson will make a stop at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on Saturday, March 4. Napoleon Garcia said he knows nothing about how his uncles yard was paved and the only work done on the county road to his ranch was done in the course of normal county road maintenance. Wilson Wong is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News Digital. During his time in office he made a Planning and Research division as well as expanded communications, such as the 9-1-1 system. Lujans attorney, Jason Bowles, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Wednesday. I am happy these proceedings against James Lujan are complete, Reeb wrote in a message following the hearing. APS board begrudgingly approves one charter school, denies another. He founded the Sheriffs Peace Officers Police Training School, and afterinitially becoming deputy in 1930 he had served in every department by the time he was sheriff. Agnos also instated 100 percent pay for employees injured on the job, which was then adopted by the nation. McGarry Ellenwood said Friday jurors in the case she's handling will be selected only from Santa Fe County. Dec. 3State District Judge Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood sentenced former Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan to three years in prison followed by a year and a half of probation Thursday, a day after a Santa Fe jury convicted him of two felony charges after he helped a man avoid arrest and then directed a deputy not to tell anyone. One of his top accomplishments is building the . In 2004, Agnos was found dead, the cause being a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The officers from the other agencies were trying to confiscate Lujans cellphone at the Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Office headquarters in Espaola, after charges were filed against him. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Contact ABC15 Investigator Dave Biscobing at Dave@ABC15.com. FULL DISCLOSURE: Arizona's broken "Brady List" system, If they dont know about it, then these officers are going to be certified even in the unlikely event they were to get fired, Keenan said. "MANIA: The ABBA Tribute" is scheduled to play the KiMo Theatre on Sunday, March 5,, Albuquerque Talent Development Academy while turning down that of another, El Camino Real Academy., SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin was found not guilty. Lattin was one of the officers who pursued Chacon during the chase. Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan and his attorneys walk out of the courtroom in Tierra Amarilla for the lunch break on the first day of his trial. One of the key officers in Peterson's arrest was Christian Ensley. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. The Sheriff's Posse was nationally recognized during Hill's time, and President Ronald Regan visited Sun City Posse Headquarters during this time. Receive a list of headlines from the latest edition of The New Mexican in your inbox every morning. Please reload the page and try again. This is the name that will be used to identify you within the system. Superior police claimed he resisted arrest. I never really spoke to him expect for hello, so anything that he says about me or allegations on me are not true because I only know of him is the videos from the family dollar store, he wrote. Rio Arriba County Attorney Adn Trujillo said in an email Aquinos lawsuit is beyond the pale, and provided video of the former deputys interaction with an employee of the Family Dollar store in Chimay in March 2019, which he said was the basis for Aquinos firing. This time, Penzone beat Arpaio by more than 10 percentage points, aided by a Republican base divided over Arpaio's aggressive immigration stance, his legal troubles and how much lawsuits against the longtime sheriff havecost taxpayers. Espaola police arrested Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan on Thursday and charged him with two counts of obstructing an officer after he failed to comply with a search warrant for his. These charges stemmed from Lujans attempts to assist former Espaola City Councilor Phillip Chacon when he took over a crime scene at Chacons home in 2020 and also helped him in avoiding police by leading them on a high speed chase in 2017. Lujan helped his friend and former city councilor Phil Chacon hideout in 2017 after being involved in a chase with police. Efforts to reach Navarrette by phone Tuesday were unsuccessful. Create a password that only you will remember. You have permission to edit this article. Martin Trujillo was charged with criminal solicitation to commit aggravated assault on a peace officer for his actions in 2020 when a warrant was served on his boss, Sheriff James Lujan, who was. The vehicle was repaired at an outside shop because the county facility does not do body work, he added, with repairs paid for in accordance with procurement rules. The complaint, filed last month in state District Court, reads like a whos who of Rio Arriba County officials and includes allegations of bribes, threats, personal use of public resources and nepotism. Andrea Rowley Reeb, the Clovis-area district attorney appointed by the state Attorney Generals Office as special prosecutor in the case, didnt immediately return phone calls from the Journal on Friday. He is still in federal prison for his crimes. The Garcias also are among the defendants. IE 11 is not supported. ABQ's independent, alternative, reader-supported news. The fact that youre telling me that tells me you shouldnt be an officer," the officer said. "No one reported it.". Lujan also was convicted of intimidating or threatening a witness for taking one of his former deputies, Cody Lattin, to Chacons house with him that night and directing Lattin not to tell anyone what he had done or to discuss his actions on police radio. His staff includedone former and six future sheriffs, according toArizona Fraternal Order of Police. You have permission to edit this article. That trial is scheduled to begin July 26. Manriquezs lawsuit attacks the abysmal record of Superiors police force. Each county attorneys office keeps their own list in their own way, applying all different standards for what misconduct belongs. On Friday, a jury. Among these complaints, Aquino said, included a quid pro quo involving Rio Arriba County Commissioner Danny Garcia and his nephew, Napoleon Garcia, that included allegations of an unjustified raise for Napoleon Garcia and paving work done at Danny Garcias front yard and at Napoleon Garcias family ranch. Reeb has filed a brief in favor of drawing jurors only from Santa Fe County. During the two-day trial, Bowles highlighted parts of the prosecutions case and witness testimony that were inconsistent. Biedscheid is scheduled to consider those arguments at an Aug. 26 hearing. For months, prosecutors threatened a lengthy sentence if he didnt plead guilty and agree to a deal of six-month sentence. The video shows Aquinos physical altercation with George Vigil, who later filed a lawsuit against the county over his treatment by Aquino. According to the lawsuit, Aquino gave his case file to the state Attorney Generals Office in late May 2019 after telling Lujan and other supervisors what hed found. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Isabella Alves / Journal Staff Writer Danny Garcia, whose term ended late last year, said Friday he had no knowledge of the issues described in the complaint. New York? ABC15 compared Brady lists from every Arizona county to every AZPOST case going back to 2000. "Dont put my f------ career at risk," the deputy can be heard telling an officer in footage of the arrest. 22 TCU wins 75-73 to deny No. He was also the first county treasurer andserved as the Phoenix postmaster, according to Arizona Fraternal Order of Police. Aquino had a long history of disciplinary actions being taken against him at the Rio Arriba Sheriffs Office, including a citizen complaint of harassment during a traffic stop, an unsafe high speed pursuit, and a DWI arrest and a domestic violence incident while off-duty. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. In March of last year, Lujan showed up drunk at a crime scene, again involving Phil Chacon, and refused to leave. Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan was sentenced on Thursday morning after being convicted of aiding a felon and intimidating a witness. Lattin said he overheard Lujan on the phone with Chacon and followed Lujan to where they met up. "MANIA: The ABBA Tribute" is scheduled to play the KiMo Theatre on Sunday, March 5,, Albuquerque Talent Development Academy while turning down that of another, El Camino Real Academy., SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin was found not guilty. At the time Saucedo said he overheard those words, Lujan was allegedly helping Chacon evade Espaola police. He attended the University of New Mexico, where he majored in multimedia journalism. Throughout his 24 years as sheriff, from 1993-2016, Joe Arpaio was criticized for using his office for unprofessional activities, which have resulted in numerous lawsuits that costs taxpayers$142 million in legal expenses,settlements and court awards. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He was the first sheriff to complete his elected two-year term. One of the officers pursuing him, Martin Sosa, has his own similar criminal history. 9 Texas a B12 title, No. That doesnt even make sense, that somebody would literally tell somebody else 30 times not to say something, Bowles said during his opening arguments. I understand there will be a retrial, and as such its not proper to comment at this time, she said in a written statement. "Our officers handled themselves in a professional manner, as they would with any subject they encounter," the ASU Police Department said in a statement. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. This happens to people every day and they dont do nothing about it, Peterson said. ESPAOLA, N.M. (KRQE) - A New Mexico sheriff arrested earlier this year is now facing even more charges. Lujan is serving three years in prison for harboring a felon and intimidating a witness, both felonies. But an ABC15 investigation found Superiors police force was filled with discredited cops, who were enabled by a broken Brady list system that let them escape lasting accountability and kept past transgressions hidden from disclosure. When the ASU officer confronted the off-duty deputy about driving under the influence, video obtained by NBC affiliate KPNX showed Navarrette admitting that he was, saying, "Yeah, but I'm also a police officer.". Lattin was previously disciplined and fired from the Taos Police Department for telling officers he served as an active-duty military member, but he never did. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Isabella Alves / Journal North The county manager does all that. Back in May, Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan was arrested after refusing to hand over his cell phone when Espaola Police, with the help of the Taos County Sheriff's Office,. This is also who Broadway Road in Phoenix isnamed after. Choose wisely! Serving from 1903 to 1904, William Cook promoted many social and education causes. Many, if not most should be considered armed and dangerous. You may remember video back in March when Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan. He achievements span from expandingposses in number and function, to using bloodhounds for searching. In an interview, Napoleon Garcia said Friday the allegations in Aquinos lawsuit are false and absurd.. The county agreed to pay $75,000 to settle the lawsuit in December, according to Trujillo. Former Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan, already a convicted felon, pleaded no contest Wednesday to a charge accusing him of interfering with a March 2020 operation by Espaola police. Commissioners dont get involved in the day-to-day operations of the county. Jefferson Davis Adams was the first Maricopa County sheriff, serving three terms from 1912 to 1916 as well as finishing Jerry Sullivan's term after his death. By clicking submit, you agree to receive The Paper by email. The road to those decisions was rocky. NM film industry playing a role in getting a 'Heist 88,' starring Courtney B. Vance, 'Heist 88,' starring Courtney B. Vance, to finish post-production in New Mexico, Vietnamese restaurant Saigon atop ABQ's dining scene. It is unclear who will take the helm of the long-troubled agency. During that time, he was prohibited from driving a patrol car and rode with another deputy while taking regular calls for service. Newly obtained body camera video captured an Arizona sheriff's deputy using a racial slur and pleading to be let off the hook after an officer pulled him over in December on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. This is the name that will be used to identify you within the system. Despite efforts by the defense to convince jurors that Lujan didnt know that Chacon would be charged with fleeing Espaola police, or that he was concerned for public safety following a high-speed chase, the jury found him guilty on both counts. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin was found not guilty Wednesday of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register House approves retail crime bill that could lead to Amid a recent rise in retail theft, a bill giving prosecutors the ability to charge individuals convicted of stealing large amounts of merchandise from I-40 westbound closed overnight in Gallup; storm headed to New Mexico is shutting down Interstate New Mexico is shutting down Interstate 40 westbound in Gallup in response to a winter storm in Arizona. Calls for service & # x27 ; s Office is committed to in... Driving a patrol car and rode with another deputy while taking regular for... 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Of last year, Lujan was sentenced on Thursday morning after being convicted of aiding a felon and a! $ 75,000 to settle the lawsuit in December, according to Trujillo NBC News Digital worked four! Has been registered, and President Ronald Regan visited Sun City Posse Headquarters during this time the edition!
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