Latest news with #RaulBujanda
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Leader Of Albuquerque FBI Steps Down
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The leader of the federal agency that investigated the DWI corruption scandal has left his position as Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Albuquerque. Now, former SAC Raul Bujanda sat down with KRQE's Anchor, Dean Staley, for an extended exit interview that covered crime, guns, and the state's biggest police corruption scandal. Bujanda discusses his time with the FBI, youth violence, and speaks candidly about teens' access to guns. 'Nothing's gonna happen unless we get control of one of these two things: either our appetite for drugs, or our overall supply of guns,' Bujanda explained. What does the former FBI leader believe is the main driver of crime in New Mexico? Will more cops be charged in the corruption scheme? Those questions and more are discussed in the full interview above. Stay informed with the latest news by subscribing to the New Mexico News Insiders podcast wherever you listen. Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, among others. You can also watch our podcasts in video form, both on-air and online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQE's YouTube page at Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term 'KRQE' or 'New Mexico News Insiders' (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post. If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email your hosts at or Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
KRQE Newsfeed: Stepping down, Offender arrested, More rain ahead, Suspect search, Fire restrictions
Tucumcari community rallies around well known 'Kix on 66' after devastating fire FBI discusses future of DWI scandal as another APD officer takes a plea Santa Fe police release new details on deadly crash involving city employee Developer shares details on new Nob Hill Hiway Hotel in Albuquerque These movies and shows were filmed in Las Vegas. Have you seen them? UNM dual-sport athlete granted NFL opportunity Trump's first 100 days: A timeline [1] A conversation with FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda as he steps down – FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda is stepping down after 27 years in law enforcement. In a recent interview with KRQE, Bujanda said the main issues he's seen throughout his time is gun violence and how easy it is to get one. Bujanda says the first step in tackling the problem is reaching out to kids early, before they become involved in dangerous activities. Bujanda says he is proud of the bureau's work on the problem of missing and murdered indigenous people during his time. [2] Albuquerque judge orders convicted sex offender be held on charges during trial – A convicted sex offender, accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl, will be held behind bars until his trial. The 14-year-old told police she had an ongoing sexual relationship with 42-year-old Joseph Lacour-Benavidez. When police searched his home they found the 14-year-old and an 11-year-old. Detectives later found several sexual text messages between Lacour-Benavidez and the victim. Tuesday, Judge Cindy Leos agreed to the state's request to keep Lacour-Benavidez in custody on his charges while awaiting trial. [3] Storm departs, warmer weather before another storm arrives in New Mexico – Another chance for rain will return Wednesday afternoon in northern and eastern New Mexico. Temperatures will be warmer across the state. On Thursday, the best chance for rain will stay in northern New Mexico, especially along the Colorado state line. The weather turns even more active starting Friday as a cold front again moves west across the state Thursday night bringing in higher moisture across New Mexico. A storm system will also start approaching New Mexico from the west on Friday. [4] Duo suspected of stealing $80K worth of copper wire from ABQ school – Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers is seeking the public's help with identifying two suspects accused of breaking into electrical boxes at an Albuquerque school. Officials said the incident happened on April 19 at the Janet Kahn School of Integrated Arts, on Indian School Rd NE near Eubank Blvd. The suspects are accused of stealing copper wiring with an estimated value of $80,000. [5] Santa Fe National Forest to implement stage 1 fire restrictions on Sunday – With fire risk elevating across the state, the Santa Fe National Forest is implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions. Visitors cannot build a campfire outside of a designated campground, smoking is not allowed outside of an enclosed vehicle or building, chainsaw use is not allowed and more. Restrictions will remain in place until October 1. For a complete list of Stage 1 fire restrictions, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Yahoo
Justice Department allocates resources to Indian Country to assist FBI with unresolved violent crimes
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Amid an increase in unsolved violent crime in Indian Country, the U.S. Department of Justice is ramping up FBI personnel at sites across the country, including New Mexico. 'What it really does, it just kind of force multiplies our resources,' said Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda. Story continues below Weather: Heavy snow moves into parts of New Mexico this weekend Sports: Jake Hall commits to New Mexico men's basketball Crime: APD investigating Walmart shooting as potential justifiable homicide On Tuesday, the Justice Department alerted FBI agencies across the United States that they will send 60 agents, on 90-day temporary duty assignments over a six-month period, to address an influx in violent crime and the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous people on tribal lands. 'So, the investigations don't necessarily change different. Sometimes when you hear we're surging resources, it kind of implies that there's going to be like a big operation. What they actually do is allow us to work on cases that happened yesterday,' continued Bujanda, who leads the FBI Division out of Albuquerque. Operation Not Forgotten, an initiative that launched in 2023, provides intelligence and victim service support to Indian Country offices. The surge in resources allows field agents to quickly find violent offenders and those who have gone missing. 'It helps us have more resources to be able to work with them, because they are also inundated with things that are happening. We can provide a person or an agent that can be there with them when these crimes are happening,' emphasized Bujanda. Bujanda said the program has been well-received thus fair, with cooperation from tribal leaders and community members alike, 'It gives more of an opportunity to have more one-on-one conversations with law enforcement community because we're not just chasing the next investigation, but we can also focus on that investigation and have attendance at the community event so that we are having that connection with our community.' The Justice Department said Indian Country faces persistent levels of crime and victimization. In New Mexico, the FBI hopes to focus its efforts on the Navajo Nation near Farmington and Gallup, where they see a disproportionate amount of violent crime against women and children. This is the third deployment under Operation Not Forgotten, which has provided investigative support to more than 500 cases in the past two years. These operations resulted in the recovery of ten child victims, 52 arrests, and 25 indictments or judicial complaints. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Yahoo
Former U.S. Attorney speaks out on DWI Unit scandal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – As the investigation into the DWI dismissal scandal continues with Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda saying this is just the midpoint, many of you might be asking what comes next? Former New Mexico United States Attorney Damon Martinez said the process may take a while. Related Coverage: Governor, state's top cop respond to DWI corruption scheme 'Has to be greed:' FBI Albuquerque talks DWI public corruption investigation Top federal prosecutor vows corruption scheme 'won't happen again' 'Corruption at its finest': ACLU Attorney reacts to DWI scheme charges APD releases timeline of investigation into DWI Unit scandal Martinez is no stranger to prosecuting corruption. 'I had been in the U.S. Attorney's office in 2014 for about 13 years and I worked my way from, you know, the line to supervising the wire tap section which means prosecuting the cartels,' said Martinez. Serving as the chief federal law enforcement officer from 2014 to 2017, Martinez negotiated the consent decree with the city and Albuquerque Police Department in the Department of Justice settlement agreement over excessive use of force but Martinez said the DWI dismissal scandal is nothing he's ever seen before. 'I've dealt with public corruption in my career but this is pretty serious and the extent of it, the scope of it is something that is unheard of in our community,' said Martinez. As the first member of the scheme, paralegal Rick Mendez, admitted to his role on Friday seemingly cooperating with investigators. Martinez said more will be on the way. 'When you're prosecuting a case and an organization, what you want to do is, you want to find those individuals that will flip and turn on the other defendants and so you try to work your way up the chain,' said Martinez. However, Martinez said it's not as simple as just trusting those who do flip at their word. 'You have to corroborate that information. So that is something that is going to be important as far as where the FBI comes in to look at, you know, are there other things that validate what he's saying,' said Martinez. He echoed what current U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez and Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda have urged over the last week, for more people to come forward. 'It only makes the case stronger if you have more victims out there and you can show exactly the extent or scope of this,' said Martinez. One thing Martinez said will be important to keep an eye on is the transition to a new U.S. Attorney under the Trump administration. Martinez believes when vetting candidates, the biggest question needs to be, 'Will the DWI dismissal scandal be a priority?' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
