He invited Reeb and Lujan's attorney Jason Bowles, to submit briefs on which county the jury pools should be drawn from. Then that puts my job at risk, right? Navarrette said. Here's why. There is no pavement on Napoleons road, he added. Navarette was arrested on a DUI charge and taken into custody at the ASU police station, the report said. Judge Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood who presided over a trial in June against Lujan in the rural Rio Arriba County seat of Tierra Amarilla, which ended with a hung jury is the . 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,. The video shows Aquinos physical altercation with George Vigil, who later filed a lawsuit against the county over his treatment by Aquino. The officer then asked Navarrette to step out of his car after confirming he worked for the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. Please reload the page and try again. Im not from New York," Navarrette said. '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. The spokesperson declined to comment further, but said that "Deputy Navarrette is currently the subject of an internal investigation related to this incident, and as such we cannot discuss the case.". During opening statements at the trial in 1st Judicial District Court in Tierra Amarilla on Wednesday, attorneys pointed fingers at who they said were the bad apples in the case: Lujan or the officers responding to the warrants for the fugitive Lujan is accused of harboring. Behind the wheel?" Roach was described as "slow-talking, easy-going officer," and he focused on the scientific investigation of crime. Lawrence was later fired from Superior for having sex on duty, "sexting" on duty in uniform, texting photos of dead bodies to people, and illegally searching his sexual partner in confidential databases. 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. Thomas Barnum was the first elected sheriff; however, his time in office was short, serving from May 1871 to November 1871. At the time Saucedo said he overheard those words, Lujan was allegedly helping Chacon evade Espaola police. His son also became sheriff two years after Montgomery'sdeath in 1919, according to Arizona Fraternal Order of Police. We never charge for local news. According to personnel records obtained by ABC15, Ensley has worked in at least six Arizona police departments, either failing to meet standards, resigning under investigation, or getting fired for dishonesty. Gino Gutierrez was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Choose wisely! This story is part of an in-depth ABC15 investigation into Arizona's broken "Brady List" system. I understand there will be a retrial, and as such its not proper to comment at this time, she said in a written statement. Last year, Rodella appealed his sentence after there was a change in federal firearms law but the judge denied his request. The charge is a fourth-degree felony and arose from the May 21 arrest of County Sheriff James Lujan. The incident began when he came to the station to pick up a friend, named Aaron Maughn, who had been arrested hours earlier for drinking in public. Meanwhile, this is the second Rio Arriba County sheriff to be sent to prison in recent years. It also alleges Napoleon Garcia knew about the damage to the county vehicle but failed to report it because Montoya was related to him. Invalid password or account does not exist. Lujan submitted his resignation from the office of Rio Arriba County Sheriff via email Wednesday evening, just hours after being convicted. The legal limit in Arizona is 0.08. Commissioners dont get involved in the day-to-day operations of the county. Espaola Police arrested Rio Arriba County Undersheriff Martin Trujillo Friday afternoon, after he was charged with criminal solicitation to commit assisting in assault upon a peace officer. After her husband died, Jewel Jordan was elected to finish his term in 1944, according toArizona Fraternal Order of Police. The Towns former police chief referred to the Towns police department as an, island of misfit toys because it is a second-chance agency hiring officers with extensive misconduct records who cannot otherwise get jobs as police officers, the lawsuit states. However, a new jail was built, and the conflict was resolved. Its a chaotic scene thats easier to understand by watching. A lifelong resident of New Mexico, he found interest in broadcasting after falling in love with sports. 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. From 1919 to 1922, John Montgomery served as sheriff and faced a rise in workload due to prohibition. Contests and special offers from The Santa Fe New Mexican and advertising partners. Former Rio Arriba County Sheriff's deputy Joseph Aquino gets into an altercation with George Vigil, an employee at Family Dollar in Chimay, in March 2019. Judge Bryan Biedscheid in June ordered a second case against Lujan one that hadn't yet gone to trial moved to Santa Fe as well. This case was one of the most interesting cases Ive been involved with based on the amount of political influence Lujan holds in the county, and the bias that created, but in the end, truth and honesty prevailed.. Lujan is charged with resisting, evading or obstructing officers in those cases and is scheduled to go on trial next month. Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan was sentenced on Thursday morning after being convicted of aiding a felon and intimidating a witness. But local journalists still have to eat. New Mexico. We won't share it with anyone else. Former Rio Arriba County sheriff's Deputy Joseph Aquino has filed a whistleblower lawsuit that claims he was fired on a trumped-up charge of excessive use of force after uncovering . Voting Rights Bill Draws Mixed Opinions at Legislative Hearing, Biden Appoints MLG to Council of Governors, Bill Banning the Sale of Assault Weapons Passes Through First Committee, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Instead, within three minutes, Peterson found himself handcuffed, pinned on the ground under a pile of officers, and arrested for allegedly resisting arrest and hindering prosecution. Among his accomplishments were initiating the Maricopa Mounted Posse and sponsoring the first FBI training school in the Valley. 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. Reeb said earlier this month it was while investigating this misdemeanor case in which Lujan showed up drunk at Chacons house as police were executing a search warrant and tried to take charge that she discovered the information used to convict Lujan in the felony case. Former Rio Arriba County sheriff James Lujan pleaded guilty De c. 29 to the misdemeanor counts of obstruction he was facing and will serve 364 days concurrently with his current sentence. 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. Lattin said he overheard Lujan on the phone with Chacon and followed Lujan to where they met up. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Isabella Alves / Journal Staff Writer Stay informed of the latest local news by receiving emails as soon as news is posted online. Attorneys on both sides in the trial of Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan said a lot of bad apples were involved in the incident that led to his arrest in March 2017 but who exactly those bad apples are depends on who was asked. On Friday, a jury. 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. Walker also served as a jailer, first deputy, undersheriff,District Court clerk and two terms as county treasurer, according to Arizona Fraternal Order of Police. Attempts to contact Terrance Garcia were unsuccessful. The lists exist so prosecutors can track cops with integrity issues and ensure their past misconduct is disclosed as required by the 1963 Supreme Court case Brady v. Maryland. Trujillo directed his officers to draw their weapons against the Taos County Sheriff's deputies and Espanola police officers, who were at the Rio Arriba Sheriff's Office serving search warrants. Lujan also resigned from his position following this conviction. Whoops! According to Clays affidavit, Lujan later told her: We are going to send [Aquino] to anger management class and use of force training., Romero said in an affidavit dated Aug. 6, 2020, that Terrance Garcia at the time, a police officer in Cuba threatened to retaliate against him to prevent him from sharing damaging information Garcia had shared about his family and officials in Rio Arriba County regarding a scheme to frame Mr. Aquino., Romeros affidavit says Garcia said the plot against Aquino was related to his investigation of embezzlement and misuse of County property., The affidavit also says that after Aquino applied for a job with Cuba police, Garcia tried to sway him against hiring Aquino by bragging about his familys political pull in Rio Arriba County.. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. "Dont put my f------ career at risk," the deputy can be heard telling an officer in footage of the arrest. In that case, he is facing three counts of resisting, obstructing or evading an officer stemming from an incident in March 2020. The Superior Police Department has faced lawsuits for excessive force, civil rights violations, and other misconduct. The jury began deliberations around 3 p.m. Thursday, but by around 2:30 p.m. Friday, McGarry declared the mistrial. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, War, anger cloud Ukrainian athletes path to Paris, No. This contributed to Blubaum not being reelected for another term. Former Rio Arriba County sheriffs Deputy Joseph Aquino gets into an altercation in March 2019 with George Vigil, an employee at Family Dollar in Chimay. However, none of the officers claimed to have their body cameras rolling, despite recording hours of footage leading up to the search and immediately recording video after hes placed into handcuffs. By Wilson Wong. The Garcias also are among the defendants. In an email Friday, Campos denied talking to the deputy about Montoya. 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.". House approves retail crime bill that could lead to stiffer sentences on 62-3 vote. This started the reinstatement of the death penalty in Arizona,according toArizona Fraternal Order of Police. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. During his investigation, Aquino says in his complaint, county employees complained to him about other unapproved self-endowment of County benefits by county employees.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In that case, Lujan was found guilty of helping Chacon avoid being arrested following a high-speed chase through Espaola in March 2017 by picking up Chacon at his home after the pursuit and driving him away in a patrol vehicle. Saigon Restaurant continues to stand out, Saigon Restaurant continues to stand out, even in a city known for its Vietnamese cuisine. Aquino faced criminal charges of battery and false imprisonment in connection with his treatment of Vigil, court records show, but the case was thrown out after Los Alamos County Magistrate Pat. Lujan is serving three years in prison for harboring a felon and intimidating a witness, both felonies. Navarrette flashed the officer his badge, according to the footage. Multiple people in the community echoed Saucedos feelings that justice had been served in this instance, as did Reeb. In the case presided over by Biedscheid, the sheriff is charged with three misdemeanor counts of resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. 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. I could not have successfully prosecuted these matters without their help and support.. There are twice as many people living in poverty in Rio Arriba County as in Santa Fe County, Bowles added. McGarry Ellenwood said Friday jurors in the case she's handling will be selected only from Santa Fe County. From 1985-88 Richard Godbehere held office, according toArizona Fraternal Order of Police, and was most notably in office when Madison Street Jail and Southeast Jail opened. He did, however, introduce the "safety car," which waspartpatrol vehicle, first aid station and welcome wagon. Ernest Roach served for a brief time from 1945-46, before Luther Boies took over to finish his term after Roach's death, according toArizona Fraternal Order of Police. He said taxpayer resources are going into this case and he doesnt believe theres any basis to retry the case. This Rio Arriba County New Mexico Most Wanted List posts the top 50-100 fugitive criminals on the run. Create a password that only you will remember. The jury sent a message that no one, not even an elected official, is above the law.. A spokesperson for the Pinal County Sheriff's Office told KPNX that Navarrette was initially placed on modified duty. Invitational brings 16 NM brewery together for a stout 2023 Stout Invitational, hosted by Bathtub 2023 Stout Invitational, hosted by Bathtub Row Brewing Co-Op, 163 Central Park Square in Los Alamos, will be held from noon to 6 p.m. "MANIA: The ABBA Tribute" is scheduled "MANIA: The ABBA Tribute" is scheduled to play the KiMo Theatre on Sunday, March 5, as part of its United States tour. Lujans attorney, Jason Bowles, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Wednesday. 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. 97 followers . Napoleon Garcia, who said he is not related to Montoya, added he knew about the incident with Montoyas vehicle, but he didnt try to cover it up, and in fact placed Montoya on unpaid leave over the incident. APS board begrudgingly approves one charter school, denies another. Contact ABC15 Investigator Dave Biscobing at Dave@ABC15.com. Former Rio Arriba County Sheriff's deputy Joseph Aquino gets into an altercation with George Vigil, an employee at Family Dollar in Chimay, in March of 2019. Efforts to reach Navarrette by phone Tuesday were unsuccessful. Before he took office as sheriff from 1977-84, Jerry Hill was a Phoenix police officerand lieutenant, according toArizona Fraternal Order of Police. He was sheriff from 1889 to 1890, according to Arizona Fraternal Order of Police. 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. Lujans predecessor, Tommy Rodella, is serving a 10-year sentence in federal prison for roughing up a motorist and brandishing a firearm during an encounter in 2014. At 22.5 years, Luther C. "Cal" Boies was the longest sheriff to hold office before Arpaio, from 1946-68,according toArizona Fraternal Order of Police. For instance, Bowles read Lattins statement from the cases preliminary hearing, in which Lattin said he wasnt aware of Chacons charges the night of the incident. 162 Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575 Phone: (575) 588-7254 Fax (575) 588-7810 Rio Arriba County Annex Building: 1122 Industrial Park Road Espaola, NM 87532 Phone: (505) 753-2992 Fax: (505) 753-9397 Tierra Amarilla, NM 24 1:05 am MST Clear Get this widget Espaola, NM 25 1:05 am MST Mostly clear Get this widget 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. He achievements span from expandingposses in number and function, to using bloodhounds for searching. After the ASU officer conducted a field sobriety test, Navarrette took a Breathalyzer test and blew a 0.121, the police report said. Known for his harsh form of justice, Thomas Warden served from 1871 to 1872. Rio Arriba County officials say an investigation . The charters Trump cowboy found not guilty of campaign finance charge. Under the terms of Lujans agreement with 9th Judicial District Attorney Andrea Reeb, a special prosecutor in the case, state District Judge Bryan Biedscheid sentenced Lujan to 364 days on the misdemeanor count of resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, Reeb confirmed after the hearing Wednesday. Instead, immediately call the Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Department at 575-588-7350. The verdict was handed down in the mid-afternoon following his second trial for harboring a felon and intimidation of a witness. He added, denies another in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he.. 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