ALBUQUERQUE – Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Nov. 16 that a 2nd Judicial District Court jury found Joseph Apodaca guilty of two counts of criminal sexual penetration in the first degree and one count of tampering with evidence following a two week trial.

“The Office of the Attorney General is focused on combating sexual violence in New Mexico and this verdict would not have been possible without the courage and perseverance of the survivor and her family,” said Attorney General Balderas.

Assistant Attorneys General Greer Rose and Nicholas Gilbert prosecuted the matter on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.

Staff Reports

The only Spanish-based HHA program in the nation announces its class size expansion

ALBUQUERQUE – In recognition of November as National Family caregivers Month, the non-profit organization Encuentro is looking to garner the attention of aspiring Spanish-speaking students looking to get involved in the Home Health Aide field – the second fastest growing career in the state of New Mexico. To that end, Encuentro has launched a PSA to provide the necessary information for enrollment in their program next semester – January ‘17.

Located in the Barelas neighborhood of Albuquerque, Encuentro’s mission is to transform New Mexico into a thriving community for all of its residents. The...

The legal limit is .08

Fabian L. Garcia

Oct. 30, 8:27 pm

DWI, aggravated (3rd)

Gallup Police Department Officer Tammy Houghtaling was dispatched to the scene of a hit-and-run accident involving a silver Dodge pickup that collided with a house before fleeing the scene. Shortly after, a vehicle matching the description was found pulling into the Fire Rock Casino parking lot after being unable to maintain the traffic lane. Sgt. Wallace Billie and a casino security officer approached the vehicle and made contact with the driver, Fabian Garcia, 31.

According to the report, Garcia was found slouched in the driver’s seat, and officers had a difficult time waking him. When he...

Gallup resident Aaron Nez, 30, has been arrested and remains in custody at McKinley County Adult Detention Center in regards to his suspected role in a violent assault that occurred Nov. 2, according to jail reports.

The stabbing occurred outside of Burger King on 2400 E. Highway 66. Upon arrival at the scene, Officer Jeremy Shirley of the Gallup Police Department found the victim lying on the ground with a stab wound to the chest.

According the arrest affidavit, the victim said that she had been outside the Burger King when Nez approached her and began to harass her, blocking her entrance to the building and calling her names.

“I can kill you,” she said that he told her...