Four Native American men, three of them teenagers, are now facing up to 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to robbing a gas station store south of Gallup last April.

Armed with pistols, the robbery served them less than $50 in liquor.

The four - Julian Silversmith, his son, Aurelius Eddie, and two associates, Kevin Marquez and Karl Thompson - are now waiting to be sentenced by a federal judge in Albuquerque.

Although prosecuted in federal court, the investigation that led to their arrest was handled by deputies and investigators for the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Sheriff’s reports, three men entered the Mustang Store in Vanderwagen about...

Minn. Man convicted of false impersonation

ALBUQUERQUE – James Christopher Benvie, 45, of Albany, Minn., was convicted of false impersonation of a Border Patrol agent when a federal jury brought back a verdict of guilty March 3.

Benvie was a member of a group dressed in camouflage and military-style clothing, with badges, masks, pistols and assault rifles who established what the FBI called a “camp” at the Southwest border in Doña Ana County. He was considered a leader and spokesperson for the group, according to public court records and evidence at trial.

The U. S. Attorney’s Office of the District of New Mexico says Benvie misrepresented himself as a Border Patrol Agent...

CIBOLA COUNTY - When a motorcyclist got lost and stuck in the mud near Mt. Taylor, it was a helicopter that pulled him out.

It was 7 am on March 8 when the New Mexico State Police Special Operations Aircraft Section was contacted to assist in locating the 40-year-old male who was lost near Mt. Taylor in a wilderness area northeast of Grants, N.M.

The motorcyclist had been out since the prior evening. His cell phone battery had died, and it was reported he did not have proper clothing for the weather and might be without food and water.

The New Mexico State Police Helicopter, call sign ABLE 7, consisting of a pilot and two tactical flight officers, was launched to the area to locate...

Jaqueline Jean Smith

Dec. 29, 2:03 am

Aggravated DWI

Gallup Police Officer Iris Pinero was dispatched to the area of the 200 block of East Coal Avenue in connection with a driver passed out behind the wheel.

When she got to the scene, she said she found a car with heavy front end damage, Jaqueline Smith was behind the wheel passed out. It took several attempts to wake her up.

When Smith, 46, of Ganado, exited the vehicle, Pinero said she staggered to keep her balance. She was asked about the damage to the car and replied, “What damage.”

She denied she had been in an accident and although police searched the area to try and find an accident site, none was found.

She...