Pearce: Fix for New Mexico crime will take more than money
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Congressman and Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Pearce says crime is out of control in New Mexico and it will take more than money to fix it.
He made the comments during a news conference Tuesday while the leader of the largest police officers' union in the state and other law enforcement officers stood at his side.
If elected, Pearce says he would create a task force of local, state and federal agencies to coordinate a more comprehensive approach for tackling crime — a problem that continues to garner attention on the campaign trail as Election Day nears.
Pearce has the endorsement of the Albuquerque police union along with 21 sheriffs from around the state.
Democratic challenger Michelle Lujan Grisham also has highlighted crime as an issue, calling for a crackdown on violence with a focus on repeat offenders.
ELECTION 2018-NEW MEXICO-CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Proposal seeks changes for appeals in New Mexico courts
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A proposed constitutional amendment on New Mexico ballots this year is seeking to bring the state court system a step closer toward streamlining the appeals process for some cases.
The proposal before voters is supported by the state judiciary. While it seeks to change an obscure segment of state law, supporters say it could result in significant savings in both cost and time for some of the state's busiest courts.
If approved, the amendment would allow lawmakers to review and make changes to strict parameters set in the state's constitution. Those current restrictions require cases that originate in probate and magistrate courts to first go to before a district court judge, rather than a panel of appeals court judges.
Cases that originate in probate and magistrate courts can stem from DWI, domestic violence and other types of charges.
BORDER MASS-IMMIGRATION
Catholic dioceses planning 'Border Mass' near Ciudad Juarez
SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (AP) — A group of Catholic dioceses is planning a Mass along the U.S.-Mexico border in the city of Sunland Park amid rising political tensions around immigration.
Dioceses of El Paso, Las Cruces and Ciudad Juarez are scheduled Saturday to hold their annual "Border Mass" at the wall near of the Ciudad Juarez neighborhood of Anapra.
?The site of the Mass is near Mount Cristo Rey — 29-foot (9-meter) tall limestone statue of Jesus on top of a hill in Sunland Park.
The Mass comes as President Donald Trump is sending more than 5,200 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in response to a caravan of Central American migrants traveling to the U.S. through Mexico.
FORMER AIRMAN ARRESTED-COMPUTER FRAUD
Ex-Air Force airman in New Mexico accused of computer fraud
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Prosecutors say a former Air Force airman in New Mexico could be facing up to 10 years in federal prison for computer fraud.
Michael Weber made his initial court appearance Tuesday in Albuquerque.
He remains in federal custody pending Wednesday's preliminary hearing and detention hearing.
Authorities say the 22-year-old Weber was arrested Tuesday morning by FBI agents at a home in Alamogordo.
According to a criminal complaint, Weber allegedly placed a program, information, code or command known as a "spam bot" onto a government-issued cellular phone assigned to his supervisor at Cannon Air Force Base on Jan. 16.
The "spam bot" allegedly caused the cellular phone to receive a long string of messages allegedly intended to cause damage to it.
ELECTION 2018-HOUSE-NEW MEXICO-CD1
Democrat Haaland keeping money edge in US House race
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Democrat Debra Haaland is maintaining her fundraising edge over her Republican and Libertarian opponents for an open U.S. House seat in central New Mexico.
New Federal Election Commission filings show the Laguna Pueblo member and former state Democratic Party chairwoman raised $159,954 during the first two week of October. Meanwhile, Republican former state lawmaker Janice Arnold-Jones pulled in $21,510 and Libertarian Lloyd Princeton raised $444.
According to the filings, Haaland's campaign reported having $143,028 cash on hand on Oct. 17. Arnold-Jones reported $30,104 cash on hand while Princeton had $625.
Haaland is seeking to become the first Native American female elected in Congress along with Kansas Democrat Sharice Davids.
Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham is campaigning for governor and is not seeking re-election to the Albuquerque-based district.
TEACHER-SEXUAL CONTACT
Ex-teacher found guilty on 1 of 3 counts of sexual contact
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A former Santa Fe art teacher was convicted of one of three counts of criminal sexual contact stemming from accusations by former students that he inappropriately touched them during class.
Aaron Dean Chavez was charged with three counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor under 13 for three incidents that occurred while he was a teacher at Santo Nino Regional Catholic School.
Chavez denies inappropriately touching his students.
District Attorney Marco Serna says a Santa Fe County jury Monday was deadlocked on two of the counts.
Chavez was convicted of the more serious of the crimes, unclothed contact with a 6-year-old girl who testified that while she was in Chavez' first-grade class in 2016 he tucked her shirt in to her underwear, touching her genitals and buttocks under her clothes.
Chavez is scheduled to be sentenced next month.
SALMONELLA-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico agency: 30 residents diagnosed with salmonella
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State health officials say 30 New Mexico residents have been identified as being diagnosed with salmonella after preparing raw ground beef at home since late August.
The Department of Health said Tuesday the illness duration averaged 13 days and that about one in four patients were hospitalized.
Department spokesman Paul Rhien said officials were still investigating the source of the New Mexico infections.
Meat producers in several states in the West have recently recalled varying amounts of ground beef for health reasons.
The department says salmonella can be spread through cross-contamination from raw meats to counter tops, utensils and cutting boards, and it urges washing hands and utensils after handling raw meat
Early symptoms of salmonella include fever, diarrhea and stomach pain. Other symptoms may include nausea, chills or headaches.
NAVAJO NATION-WELLS FARGO
Navajo to appeal dismissal of case against Wells Fargo
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Navajo Nation is appealing the dismissal of a lawsuit it filed against Wells Fargo, accusing the company of engaging in predatory and unlawful practices.
A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit last month at the request of Wells Fargo.
The company argued that many claims were addressed through a previous consumer protection action, and that the tribe lacked standing to file other claims.
The tribe filed a notice of appeal Friday with the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Navajo President Russell Begaye has said the tribe will not back down in its efforts to hold Wells Fargo accountable for harming Navajo people and especially tribal elders.
Wells Fargo has five branches on the reservation that stretches into New Mexico, Utah and Arizona, and 12 others within a 30-minute drive.