Verdict Search Results

State of New Mexico v. Meta Platforms, Inc.

Santa Fe, New Mexico: The Officer of the Attorney General of New Mexico sued Meta Payment Platforms, Inc. for wrongfully pushing content to underage users on Instagram and Facebook in violation of New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act. “Meta built products it knew would fuel addiction, deepen a youth mental health crisis, and expose children to sexual exploitation, then lied to parents and policymakers about the danger,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez.

State of New Mexico v. Alexander Corvison

Santa Fe, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with kidnapping and battery.

United States of America v. Willis Kylestewa

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with first degree murder in Indian Country. Reported by <a href="https://www.morelaw.com/vendors/vendor.asp?f=Kent&l=Morlan&i=28729&z=74119&s=OK" target="_new">Kent Morlan</a> On July 4, 2025, Willis Kylestewa, 42, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, drove while intoxicated with four passengers in a vehicle without working headlights. When law enforcement attempted a traffic stop, Kylestewa fled, speedin

United States of America v. Jesus Manuel Salgueido

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with misdemeanor possession of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. 844. Digested by <a href="https://www.morelaw.com/vendors/vendor.asp?f=Kent&l=Morlan&i=28729&z=74119&s=OK" target="_new">Kent Morlan</a> In 1987 the government charged Petitioner with misdemeanor possession of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 844(a). Represented by counsel, he pleaded guilty to the possession charge. The court sentenced

State of New Mexico v. Tomas Rivas

Las Cruces, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with three counts of first degree murder. Tomas Rivas charged in connection with the March 21 Young Park shooting on March 21, 2025 during an unsanctioned car meet.

State of New Mexico v. Bailey Zimmerman

Albuquerque, New Mexico criminal defense lawyers represented the Defendant charged with malicious damage to property and trespassing for causing $16,000 in property damage to Sandia Resort & Casino in May, 2026.

Susan Ellen Gibson v. Sean Vincent Spinato

Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico, family law lawyer represented the Petition in a divorce action. Reported by <a href="https://www.morelaw.com/vendors/vendor.asp?f=Kent&l=Morlan&i=28729&z=74119&s=OK" target="_new">Kent Morlan</a>

United States of America v. Saul Gonzalez

Las Cruces, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with interference with commerce by robbery in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1951. Reported by <a href="https://www.morelaw.com/vendors/vendor.asp?f=Kent&l=Morlan&i=28729&z=74119&s=OK" target="_new">Kent Morlan</a> on January 24, 2025, Saul Gonzalez, 36, stole several pairs of work gloves from a Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Las Cruces, New Mexico. After store employees confronted him about the unpaid merchandis

State of New Mexico v. Josiah Watts and Xavrein Trotter Jr.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with first-degree murder. Reported by <a href="https://www.morelaw.com/vendors/vendor.asp?f=Kent&l=Morlan&i=28729&z=74119&s=OK" target="_new">Kent Morlan</a> Josiah Watts and Xavrein Trotter Jr., both age 19, accused of killing Enock Elumba, who was shot by Watts during an altercation.

United States of America v. Rex Crofton

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with damaging a local synagogue and Jewish community center. Reported by <a href="https://www.morelaw.com/vendors/vendor.asp?f=Kent&l=Morlan&i=28729&z=74119&s=OK" target="_new">Kent Morlan</a> Rex Crofton, 25, is accused of shattering the glass entry doors at Congregation Albert synagogue in Louisiana before going to the nearby Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque and hitting the doors there with a

United States of America v. Seviano Kee

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with murder in Indian Country. Reported by: <a href="https://www.morelaw.com/vendors/vendor.asp?f=Kent&l=Morlan&i=28729&z=74119&s=OK" target="_new">Kent Morlan</a> On May 20, 2026, Seviano Kee, 18, and enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, stabbed John Doe with a kitchen knife during an argument, killing him. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with a

United States of America v. Danial Adair, Daniel Nicolds, and Lary Micholds

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyers represent the Defendants charged with fraudulently obtain and sell New Mexico elk hunting tags to out of state hunters and conceal the proceeds from the IRS. from approximately 2019 through 2022, Danial Adair, 44, Daniel Nicolds, 57, and his brother Lary Nicolds, 59, allegedly operated a scheme through Big Horn Outfitters in which they fraudulently obtained New Mexico elk tags through the state resident draw system and transferred them to o

Estate of Nichelie Nichols v. Gila Medical Center

Silver City, New Mexico, personal injury lawyer represented the Estate of Nichelle Nichols on a medical malpractice theory. Reported by <a href="https://www.morelaw.com/vendors/vendor.asp?f=Kent&l=Morlan&i=28729&z=74119&s=OK" target="_new">Kent Morlan</a> The Family and Estates of Nichelle Nichols sued the Gila Medical Center in Silver City, New Medical claiming she died as a result of having received substandard health care by doctors at the Medical Center.

United States of America v. Claudiu Pesteleu

Las Cruces, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyers represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Reported by <a href="https://www.morelaw.com/vendors/vendor.asp?f=Kent&l=Morlan&i=28729&z=74119&s=OK" target="_new">Kent Morlan</a> Claudiu Pesteleu, 44, a Romanian national illegally present in the United States, admitted that from May 2023 through June 2024, he participated in a nationwide fraud scheme that used fake websites impersonating legitimate businesses to tric

United States of America v. Timothy Begay

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal Defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with second-degree murder in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1153. Reported by <a href="https://www.morelaw.com/vendors/vendor.asp?f=Kent&l=Morlan&i=28729&z=74119&s=OK" target="_new">Kent Morlan</a> On December 9, 2024, Timothy Begay, 39, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was driving drunk when he crossed the center line and hit a car driving the opposite direction, killing the driver. At the time of the crash

United States of America v. Miranda Cachini

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with involuntary manslaughter. By Kent Morlan Miranda Cachini, age 27, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, consumed alcoholic beverages and fell asleep while breastfeeding her 2-month-old daughter in bed. During the night, Cachini rolled over on top of the baby, causing her to pass away by asphyxiation. irst Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Feder

United States of America v. Kevin Metcalf

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with illegally possessing a firearm after he shot a store employee during an attempted liquor theft at an Albuquerque business. On December 29, 2024, Kevin Metcalf, 37, entered El Rey Liquors in downtown Albuquerque and attempted to steal a bottle of alcohol. When a store employee intervened, Metcalf fled the scene before turning around and firing a shot toward two employees standing in the doorway, striking an

State of New Mexico v. Nadine Judith Gonzales

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer John McCall represented the Defendant charged with Shoplifting (Over $2,500 but not more than $20,000) and Conspiracy to Commit Shoplifting (Over $2500, Less than $20,000) 30-16-20 provides: A. Shoplifting consists of one or more of the following acts: (1) willfully taking possession of merchandise with the intention of converting it without paying for it; (2) willfully concealing merchandise with the intention of converting it without

State of New Mexico v. Yufang Bao and John Tunney Bao

Albuquerque, New Mexico criminal defense lawyers represent the Defendants trafficking women for commercial sex. Yufang Bao and and John Tunney Bao owned and operated six massage parlors in Albuquerque where they allegedly engaged in sex trafficking.

United States of America v. Zachary Babitz

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with interference with commerce by committing a series of armed robberies and carjackings across New Mexico in 2024 that culminated in the fatal shooting of a victim during a carjacking in Santa Fe County. Babitz, 40, committed a series of armed robberies, carjackings, and a fatal shooting across Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and Doña Ana counties. Babitz began on July 30, 2024, when he entered an AutoZone in Albuq

State of New Mexico v. Nicholas Schmidt, a/k/a Nicholas Andrew Schmidt

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with child abuse and failure to report1 child abuse or neglect. Defendant and his spouse were charged with child abuse and failure to report child abuse or neglect. The State filed a motion that sought a ruling from the district court about whether the spousal privilege would apply to the text messages or if the Rule 11-505(D)(1)(a) exception would permit the admission of the evidence. After4 a hearing, th

United States of America v. Jose Ramirez

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with kidnapping. In 2018, just weeks after his release from prison for a felony firearm conviction stemming from a high-speed police chase, and while under court supervision and wearing a GPS ankle monitor, Jose Ramirez, 47, engineered a calculated and violent kidnapping-for-ransom scheme targeting his former employer, a 68-year-old business owner who had fired him years earlier for theft. On July 25, 2018,

United States of America v. Jose Ramirez

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with multiple charges, including conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, conspiracy to carjack, carjacking, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and extortion in December 2025.

State of New Mexico v. Meta Platforms, Inc.

Santa Fe, New Mexico Attorney General's Office represented the States of New Mexico claiming that Meta failed to warn users about the dangers of its platform and protect children from sexual predators and willfully engaging in "unfair and deceptive" and "unconscionable" trade practices. New Mexico also claimed that Meta created a "breeding ground" for child predators on Facebook and Instagram. Meta denied all of the claims made by the States of New Mexico.

Angel Salcdo, et al. v. City of Las Vegas, et al.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, personal injury lawyer represented the Plaintiffs who sued on civil rights violation theories. During an hours-long standoff with law enforcement in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Alejandro Alirez shot his girlfriend, Cristal Cervantes, and her grandfather, Victor Cervantes, inside their home. Alirez livestreamed the encounter on Facebook for nearly 51 minutes. Cristal was alive for much or all of the livestream. When Alirez finally surrendered, hours after the initial sh

State of New Mexico v. Brian Pori

Grants, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with bringing contraband into a prison. Albuquerque criminal defense lawyer Brian Pori, 64, was going to meet an inmate on Wednesday. While he was going through a security point at the prison’s visitor entrance, a correctional officer found suboxone strips in the inner lining of Pori’s eyeglass case.

United States of America v. Claudiu Pesteleu

Las Cruces, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyers Gabriel Perez and Jessica Martin represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Claudiu Pesteleu, age 44, a Romanian national illegally in the United States participated in a nationwide fraud scheme that used fake websites impersonating legitimate businesses to trick victims into wiring money for various consumer products, such as cars and equipment. Victims believed they were making legitimate purchases, but the funds

State of New Mexico v. Francisco Solia

Bernalillo County, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and road rage. Francisco Solis accused of threatening a man with a handgun and driving away in a white Ford F150. A search of the Defendant's home resulted in the seizure of: • A total of 17 magazines for various firearms • A total of 1,407 rounds of various caliber ammunition • Various firearm parts and accessories • Methamphetamine (14 grams)

State of New Mexico v. Jovan Martinez and Makaela Johnson

Santa Rosa, New Mexico Defendants accused of shooting at New Mexico State Trooper. Criminal defense lawyer represent the Defendants to shot at NMSP officer who tried to stop Jovan Martinez and Makaela Johnson on US Highway 285, south of Vaughn.

State of New Mexico v. . Albert Rival

Albuquerque, New Mexico criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant who brandished a fire arm. Albert Rival, 65, was a member at the North Valley Senior Center, but staff had to call the police, saying he took things too far.

United States of America v. Edison Brady

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with econd-degree murder for fatally stabbing a man during an assault on the Navajo Nation. On July 25, 2024, officers with the Navajo Nation Police Department responded to fight in progress near a defunct business in Shiprock, New Mexico. Upon arrival, they found John Doe lying on the ground with wounds to his face and chest. Witnesses reported that Edison Brady, 56, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pu

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with burglary. Joseph Montoya was shot while burglarizing the business for a second time.

United States of America v. Richard Sepulveda

Las Cruces, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with using Molotov cocktails to ignite multiple fires at an apartment complex. on January 12, 2026, Las Cruces Fire Department responded to a reported fire at the Villa Del Telshor Apartments in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Fire investigators determined the fire originated in a second-floor apartment and was intentionally set using an improvised incendiary device, commonly known as a Molotov cocktail. Surveillance fo

United States of America v. Robert Haack

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with wire and mail fraud. Robert Haack, 59, carried out a years long scheme to defraud collectors by selling counterfeit jewelry falsely represented as authentic works by renowned Hopi artist Charles Loloma. The evidence established that between approximately 2008 and 2015, Haack manufactured dozens of fake Loloma jewelry pieces in his California home and sold them through eBay and direct sales. Haack market

United States of America v. Adrian Cheama

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. On June 16, 2025, Adrian Cheama, 37, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, stabbed an unarmed man in the abdomen with a sharp metal object without apparent provocation, then disposed of the weapon, preventing law enforcement from recovering it. The victim was airlifted to a hospital, where he received life-saving treatment for the

State of New Mexico v. Angelique Silva

Albuquerque, New Mexico criminal defense lawyer John Rhinehart represented the Defendant charged with burglary, unlawful taking of an automobile and theft of a credit card. Angelique Silva, age 43, broke into and stole with keys inside lockers in a gym where the owners were exercising. She would then steal the cars parked in the parking lot.

United States of America v. Justin Hunt

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by extortion under color of official right. Justin Hunt, a former Albuquerque Police Department lieutenant, engaged in a scheme to arrest drunk drivers who were set up for arrest. Bribes would then be solicited and taken in exchange for Hunt intentionally failing to appear for a court appearance on the DUI charge resulting in the dismissal of the charge.

United States of America v. Santiago Martinez

Denver, Colorado, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with manslaughter. Santiago Martinez, age 33, killed Suazo during an argument outside their shared home on the Taos Pueblo. The couple had been listening to music when DeAnna again expressed her long-stated desire to end their romantic relationship, which she had often done before. The argument escalated into a physical altercation during which Martinez ripped DeAnna’s gauge earring from her ear and pushed DeAnna

State of New Mexico v. Timothy Busfield

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with sexual abuse of a minor. Timothy Busfield, accused of abusing a 7 year old boy on the set of “The Cleaning Lady,” a TV series Busfield directed and acted in.

United States of America v. Max Jaramillo

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with wire fraud and embezzlement by an Officer of a Labor Organization. From 2014 through early 2024, Max Jaramillo, 58, served as treasurer of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, Local 331, a position that carries fiduciary duties to safeguard union assets and to accurately disclose the union’s financial condition to its members and the Department of Labor. During that time frame, Jaramillo used union

United States of America v. Donald Thompson

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with second-degree murder. On January 1, 2026, Donald Thompson, 49, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna, allegedly shot and killed another Laguna Pueblo member during a confrontation at a cemetery within the Pueblo of Laguna in Cubero, New Mexico. Law enforcement responded to reports of a shooting and found the victim deceased at the scene with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest and back. Witnesses r

State of New Mexico v. April Hernandez

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the defendant charged with identity theft and fraud. April Hernandez was accused of identity theft and multiple counts of fraud after stealing three nurses’ identities and providing care for hospice patients without a license.

United States of America v. Jason Baca

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with felony possession of a firearm. 18:922(g)(1) and 924: Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; 18:111(a) and (b): Assault on a Federal Officer; 18:924(c)(1)(A)(ii): Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to, and in Furtherance of, a Crime of Violence. An Albuquerque man is federally charged after allegedly pointing a handgun at Bernalillo County Sheriff’s deputies during a November 12,

State of New Mexico v. Christina Escobedo Arriaga

Las Cruces, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with: Two counts of Homicide by Vehicle (Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Any Drug) One count of Great Bodily Harm by Vehicle (Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Any Drug) Two counts of Intentional Abuse of a Child Resulting in Death One count of Abuse of a Child Resulting in Great Bodily Harm One count of Driving While Under the Influen

State of New Mexico v. Jason Hurd

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant, Jason Hurd, accused for shoplifting. The allegedly stole $700 from the Target on Paseo del Norte in Albuquerque.

State of New Mexico v. Hunter Apachito

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant, Hunter Apachito, age 22, who is charged with domestic assault and battery and felony pointing of a firearm.

United States of America v. Robert J. Padilla, Jr.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with orchestrating a retaliatory killing tied to a violent prison gang and for using violence and intimidation to protect an ongoing drug trafficking operation. Robert Padilla, 48, was an associate of the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico (SNM), a prison-based gang whose members and associates engaged in murder, drug trafficking, intimidation, and retaliation against perceived informants to preserve the gang’s power

State of New Mexico v. Robert Candelaria

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with DUI. Robert Candelaria, had a wreck on Interstate 40 eastbound on December 24, 2025. A search of Candelaria' vehicle at the scene disclosed that cocaine.

State of New Mexico v. Crystal Hernandez

Albuquerque, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with child abuse. Crystal Hernandez, age 39, is accused for letting her 4-year-old son access cocaine. When police entered Hernandez's child's teeth were rotten and his heartbeat was abnormal. Hernandez allegedly said that her child most likely tested positive for cocaine as a result go getting into her boyfriend's drugs.

State of New Mexico v. Adrian Ferran

Los Alamos, New Mexico, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with rape. Adrian Ferran, age 26, is accused of having had sex with to 14-year-old girl in Los Alamos. Police said Ferran admitted he had sex with the girl.