Latest news with #Albuquerque-area
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘A good place to work': Westside ABQ lawmakers open offices, part of modernization push
Albuquerque-area lawmakers cut the ribbon Saturday to mark the official opening of their new legislative offices at CNM Westside, part of a broader modernization push. Lawmakers Sen. Harold Pope, center, along with Rep. Charlotte Little, second from left, and Rep. Joy Garratt, while share the office space. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source NM) A trio of Albuquerque-area Democratic lawmakers opened an in-person office space in a community college campus Saturday, one of several recent office openings that the legislators hope will boost services for constituents and also build momentum for a professional, paid Legislature in the near future. Newly hired district legislative aides for Sen. Harold Pope, state Rep. Joy Garratt and state Rep. Charlotte Little will regularly work from a newly leased office space at Central New Mexico Community College's Westside campus. The office is in the 'WSII' building on the north side of campus. Thanks to a provision in the state budget two years ago, at least 20 House lawmakers have opened individual or shared office spaces since late last year in or near their districts, according to Pamela Armstrong, spokesperson for the office of House Speaker Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque). More offices are expected to open soon, she said. The same provision allowed lawmakers to hire paid legislative aides. NM legislative recap Feb. 12: It's still too cold to harvest, but the session is heating up Garratt, whose District 29 covers from Albuquerque's West Side to Laguna Pueblo, told Source New Mexico at the Saturday ribbon-cutting that, outside of the obvious benefit of the office being 'a good place to work' where constituents can reach their representatives year-round, the new office could demonstrate to the public why a more professional, modern Legislature is needed. 'Step one is actually having a staff person. Step two is having a space other than Starbucks, Panera Bread and a local coffee shop. Step three, and this is something I've worked on for three sessions, is modernization, paid legislators,' she said. New Mexico's remains the only unpaid Legislature in the country, though lawmakers receive per diem payments during the session and for interim committee meetings. Lawmakers and good-government advocates say paying lawmakers would elicit better candidates and reduce the influence of lobbyists or other outside interests. 'I think if people see the effectiveness of being able to easily contact your state legislator, I think there would be greater public support,' Garratt said. 'If we do our jobs. They'll see it's beneficial. People don't know their state legislators. I got an angry phone call yesterday saying, 'Congressman Garratt, what are you going to do about the Trump budget?'' Lawmakers this year considered a joint resolution, which, if approved by voters, would create a commission that would determine and approve lawmaker salaries. But it never made it out of the Senate. An independent review of the legislation noted that a base salary of $50,000, for example, for 112 lawmakers would be cost taxpayers about $5.6 million annually.
NBC News
19-03-2025
- NBC News
Teens charged with murder nearly a year after cyclist on way to work was intentionally hit by stolen vehicle
Video released Tuesday shows the moments leading up to when New Mexico police say a bicycle commuter was intentionally struck by a stolen vehicle full of youths and killed. The release of the cellphone video comes a day after the teenager who police said was driving was arrested on a charge of murder, Albuquerque police said Tuesday. The 13-year-old accused of driving and the two others in the car when the cyclist was killed last year are 'runaways' and 'dropouts,' Mayor Tim Keller said at a news conference. 'These children are murderers,' he said. The passengers were 15 and 11 at the time. The youngest is too young for criminal prosecution, police said. On Tuesday night, the department announced that the 11-year-old was taken into custody, but that they were still looking for the 15-year-old. The state Children, Youth & Families Department will take custody of the 11-year-old and evaluate him, police said. he was taken into custody by that agency in June, police said. Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said at Tuesday's news conference with the mayor that the boy at the time could not be prosecuted or confined effectively because of his age. The older boys have been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, leaving the scene of a collision involving injury or death, and unlawful possession of a firearm, Albuquerque police said in the statement. The state public defender's juvenile unit for the Albuquerque area did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Juveniles in children's court are automatically assigned public defenders, according to the New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender. Scott Dwight Habermehl, 63, of Corrales, a community 16 miles north of Albuquerque, was killed May 29. The Ph.D physicist was bicycling to his job as a military contractor at Sandia National Laboratories when he was struck, police said. "Scott was riding his bike with his helmet in a bike lane with a safety light on when he was struck by a car, and the car left," Albuquerque Police Cmdr. Kyle Hartsock said at the news conference. According to a detailed obituary published by Daniels Family Funerals & Cremation, Habermehl's contributions at Sandia, where he was also remembered as a mentor and scholar, led to six patents and included work on keeping computer microchips resistant to radiation. "These are techniques that are still used to this day for national security and space applications," the obituary stated. He and partner Jamie Philpott, an Albuquerque-area veterinarian, have two grown sons, it said, adding that Habermehl recently completed his construction of a home in Leadville, Colorado, a historic town surrounded by some of the Rocky Moutains' highest peaks, as a family retreat. The case was initially considered a hit-and-run, officials said. "The case was actually closed pending further leads," Hartsock, who oversees the police department's Criminal Investigation Division and any homicide probes, said at the news conference. In February, two youths reported the existence of the video to a parent and school administrator, police said. It was allegedly taken from inside the stolen vehicle that struck Habermehl and later posted to Instagram, Hartsock said. The video helped investigators identify the three youths and obtain arrest warrants last week for two of them, according to police. The youths had previous run-ins with law enforcement and were relatively easy to find, the commander said. Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina described the three youths as friends who were on officers' radar about this time last year. Police said the recording includes audio in which the 15-year-old can be heard encouraging the 13-year-old who they say was driving to "just bump him, brah." The video indicates the vehicle accelerated before the cyclist was hit, police said in Tuesday's statement. "The front passenger, believed to be the 11-year-old who was waving a handgun, ducked and laughed as the front, passenger side of the vehicle struck Habermehl," police said in the statement. The statement continued, "There were loud sounds, including metal flexing, as the momentum of the crash carried Habermehl and his bicycle on top, and off, the passenger side of the vehicle." The 13-year-old was taken into custody on Monday. He was on juvenile probation and probation officials were able to help police locate him, Medina said. The 15-year-old who police are looking last year was suspected in doorbell thefts, participating in a $15,000 burglary of beer, alcohol and cigarettes, and a minor-injury shooting, police said.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
‘Pissed off' sheriff slams podium speaking on BCSO's connection to DWI scheme
BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said he feels 'pissed off' after he lost his right-hand man, who was implicated in a massive public corruption scandal involving drunk driving arrests. 'I have never been betrayed like this in my life, and I'm pretty freaking pissed off right now,' Allen said while slamming his podium Thursday. Johann Jareno was appointed to undersheriff by Allen in January 2023. He is now said to be part of an ongoing federal investigation into a DWI dismissal 'enterprise,' in which Albuquerque-area law enforcement officers are accused of working with a local defense attorney to get drunk driving cases dismissed in exchange for cash and other bribes. Federal investigators said the case involves members of the Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico State Police, and BCSO, who worked with attorney Thomas Clear III and his paralegal Ricardo 'Rick' Mendez. Sheriff Allen said Jareno informed him on Saturday that the feds interviewed him. On Sunday, Jareno resigned at the request of the sheriff. 'It completely makes me sick. And I literally got sick and threw up in my garbage can,' said Allen. Related Coverage 'Unconscionable:' Mayor talks DWI scheme, expresses trust in Albuquerque police 'We held people accountable': Chief takes credit for ending DWI scheme within APD Former APD officer named in scheme now trains DWI officers for state of New Mexico Former U.S. Attorney speaks out on DWI Unit scandal 2 Albuquerque police officers who resigned amid DWI Unit scandal now working for CYFD Governor, state's top cop respond to DWI corruption scheme Allen explained that he only became suspicious about his undersheriff after the feds interviewed now former BCSO deputy Jeffrey Hammerel in January. Allen said following that interview, Jareno's body language changed, and the sheriff said the feds wouldn't talk to him. 'How in the hell would the FBI ever trust me when my right-hand man who speaks for me would give me any other information? That is another red flag,' Allen said. The sheriff said the FBI is talking to him now, but said a photo of him, Jareno, two other BCSO command staff members, and Mendez at a lunch they had isn't helping him convince the feds he's not involved. 'Of course they're going to suspect me when you find me in a photo with this guy. What a piece of crap. And then he's put me in a very bad position, and anybody can spin everything and anything they want,' said Allen. The sheriff addressed potential suspicions that community members might have. 'If anybody out there in the public thinks that I had my command staff and we are connected here asking about a DWI scheme, you are an idiot,' Allen said. Allen also sounded off on the circumstances surrounding the lunch he and his staff had with Mendez. 'Folks, it's okay for me to have lunch. The question should be who paid for the lunch, and did I accept any gifts from Mr. Mendez? No. Do people buy me lunch? Yes. Do I take photos with people? Folks, I take 100 photos a week with people. I am a politician and the sheriff of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office. If I ever knew that Mr. Jareno and that Mr. Mendez were doing what they were doing along with the DWI scheme, I'm gonna ask you a question back, do you think in all hell I would ever have a lunch with him? No, I would not.' He said the outing happened in February 2023, not long after he became sheriff. According to Allen, Jareno set up the lunch with Mendez and invited the rest of the command staff. During the lunch, the sheriff said they discussed his campaign. 'Mr. Mendez is on the Republican side. I'm on the Democratic side. I'm speaking to a Republican. I thought I was able to reach across the aisle and get some answers and some questions that the Republican side had, and I'm completely side blasted now, betrayed, disappointed,' said Allen. In a previous interview with KRQE Investigates, the sheriff called Mendez a friend, said they've known each other since 2021, and that he donated $200 to his campaign. That language changed Thursday. 'I wouldn't even call it a friendship. I would distance myself far away from that piece of crap that I can,' Allen said. The sheriff is now looking at moving forward without Jareno. 'This isn't a black eye to the agency. This is a gut punch. This is a kick to my balls and two black eyes, to be honest with you,' the sheriff said. 'What do I do to stop that? And how do we move forward? The rank and file that's out there right now fighting crime. Now they have some gaps in leadership. I always take decisive action. How do we move forward and do it correctly?' Jareno is the first BCSO employee who has resigned due to alleged involvement in the DWI scheme. Former deputy Hammerel pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to participating in the scheme. In his confession, he said an unnamed supervisory deputy assured him he wouldn't get in trouble. KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret asked the sheriff if Hammerel was referring to Jareno. Allen said he wouldn't directly answer the question, and added that he doesn't want to hinder the FBI's investigation. Watch the full Q&A with Sheriff Allen below: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Yahoo
BCSO undersheriff resigns amid DWI dismissal scandal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A leader of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's command staff has resigned in light of new developments tied to an ongoing investigation in the DWI dismissal scandal. On Monday, Undersheriff Johann Jareno resigned at the request of Sheriff John Allen, according to a statement sent by a Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office spokesperson. Jareno is now said to be part of an ongoing federal investigation into a DWI dismissal 'enterprise,' where Albuquerque-area law enforcement officers are accused of working with a local attorney to get drunk driving cases dismissed in exchange for cash and other bribes. Federal investigators say the case involves members of the Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico State Police, and BCSO who were working with the help of attorney Thomas Clear and his paralegal Ricardo 'Rick' Mendez. Jareno is the first BCSO employee who has resigned due to alleged involvement in the scheme. BCSO Deputy Jeff Hammerel was placed on leave in January. Jareno started working with BCSO in March 2009 and served in the DWI Unit from December 2011 until October 2019. He was later appointed undersheriff in January 2023. KRQE Investigates is working to learn more information. This is a developing story that will be updated. Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen released the following statement: 'On February 22, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation informed me of an ongoing inquiry that implicates a member of our command staff in the broader investigation into DWI case manipulations. Given the seriousness of the investigation, I took immediate action to preserve the integrity of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office. To prevent any potential conflicts of interest and ensure our agency's focus remains on our mission, I requested andreceived the resignation of Undersheriff Johann Jareno, effective immediately on February 23, 2025. Mr. Jareno began his employment with BCSO in March 2009, serving in the DWI Unit from December 2011 until October 2019, and was appointed Undersheriff in January the ongoing DWI investigation has shed light on deep-seated issues in law enforcement that predate my administration, which began in January 2023. I am profoundly disappointed by these revelations, which undermine the hard-earned trust between the community and law enforcement. As Sheriff, my foremost responsibility is to safeguard the trust and safety of our community, which we can only achieve through transparency and ethical are fully cooperating with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office to ensure that all aspects of this investigation are thoroughly addressed. I am grateful for the FBI bringing this new development to my attention directly and due to the ongoing nature of this federal inquiry, our comments must be measured, but be assured that transparency and communication will continue to be a priority of my are undertaking a thorough review of our internal policies and control mechanisms to prevent such incidents in the future. Part of this initiative includes the creation of a new Accountability and Compliance role, enhancing our ability to monitor and enforce ethical conduct within our ranks. The trust between the public and law enforcement is sacred, and I am committed to actions that strengthen this bond. We will be proactive in strengthening thisrelationship through continuous improvement of our operational practices and technological capabilities. This includes enhancements to our monitoring of court attendances and other critical areas of our operations.I am grateful for the community's support and patience as we navigate these challenging times. We will emerge from this challenge stronger and more committed to serving with honor and integrity. We are taking all necessary steps to ensure our department reflects the high standards expected by the people of Bernalillo County.' Sheriff John Allen Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
