However, defense attorney Jason Bowles said that Lujan isnt a bad apple but that former Espaola police officer Cody Lattin is. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. 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. The Sheriff's Posse was nationally recognized during Hill's time, and President Ronald Regan visited Sun City Posse Headquarters during this time. Petersons arrest was recorded on a reserve officers body camera. 7 were here. The day after Aquino forwarded the case file to the Attorney Generals Office, the Rio Arriba County Sheriffs Office opened an internal affairs investigation into his altercation with Vigil, according to the lawsuit. Afterward, Lattin said the sheriff repeatedly told him not to tell anyone what had happened. When Clint Peterson walked into the Superior Police Department, he had no idea what was coming. They put their trust in you to uphold the law and you let them down, said First District Court Judge Kathleen Ellenwood. Andrea Rowley Reeb, the Clovis-area district attorney appointed by the state Attorney Generals Office as special prosecutor in the case, didnt immediately return phone calls from the Journal on Friday. According to reporting done by the Albuquerque Journal, Trujillo had been charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer for an incident that occurred on May 21, 2020. State District Judge Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood sentenced former Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan to three years in prison followed by a year and a half of probation Thursday, a day. Aaron Maughn failed to stop for a traffic violation and was able to evade officers by driving off-road into the desert and ditching his vehicle. Sandoval County. Rio Arriba County officials, including some of those named in the lawsuit, vehemently denied allegations in the suit and pointed to the events leading to Aquinos firing as justification for his dismissal. The jury began deliberations around 3 p.m. Thursday, but by around 2:30 p.m. Friday, McGarry declared the mistrial. Trujillo faces charges of Criminal Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Assault upon a Peace Officer with a deadly weapon after he allegedly ordered deputies to draw their guns at Espaola Police & Taos County Sheriffs Deputies as they served a search warrant for Lujans mobile phone in May 2020. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Mummert also introduced civilian replacements for deputies as radio dispatchers and jail guards. Hayden credits most of his statewide popularity toextraditing prisoners during this time, according to Arizona Fraternal Order of Police. Former Rio Arriba deputy sues, claiming firing was retaliation. 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. Create a password that only you will remember. 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. Behind the wheel?" Lujan resigned earlier this month after his conviction. Normally, the undersheriff would take the lead in such a situation, but in this case, it remains unclear, as Undersheriff Martin Trujillo, a close friend of Lujans faces his own felony charges related to Lujans criminal troubles. During that time, he was prohibited from driving a patrol car and rode with another deputy while taking regular calls for service. Roy Merrill's time in office was brief, from just 1937 to 1938. Instead, immediately call the Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Department at 575-588-7350. The District Attorney told KRQE News 13 that it was her understanding that Lujan resigned Wednesday a few hours after his conviction. Many of the allegations center on three blood relatives: former Rio Arriba County Commissioner Danny Garcia; his nephew, Rio Arriba County Public Works Administrator Napoleon Garcia; and Napoleon Garcias son, Terrance Garcia, a former police officer in the village of Cuba who also has worked at the Rio Arriba County jail. She argued a jury pool from Rio Arriba County would make the venue change moot. District Attorney Andrea Reeb accused Lujan of abusing his authority, saying he loved the power of being the sheriff. In 1893, Maricopa County had a jail overcrowding problem, and this was James Murphy's biggest task when he was in office from 1893 to 1894. Lujans trial is scheduled to continue through Thursday. Aquino had a long history of disciplinary actions being taken against him at the Rio Arriba Sheriffs Office, including a citizen complaint of harassment during a traffic stop, an unsafe high speed pursuit, and a DWI arrest and a domestic violence incident while off-duty. It wasn't until there was a major divide in voters due to Arpaio's stance on immigration that he lost the election. This Rio Arriba County New Mexico Most Wanted List posts the top 50-100 fugitive criminals on the run. We hope the prosecutor will go back and decide not to retry it.. This is the name that will be used to identify you within the system. Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan is not above the law. You have permission to edit this article. Espaola police arrested Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan on Thursday and charged him with two counts of obstructing an officer after he failed to comply with a search warrant for his. In an interview, Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer said he believes Superior has improved as a department since the incident and thinks Peterson did passively resist arrest. He also served two terms as county treasurerand was a rancher and businessman, according to Arizona Fraternal Order of Police. Although he is most remembered for his 56 years in Congress, Carl Hayden served as the last territorial sheriff from 1907 to 1912. Lattin was previously fired by the Taos County Sheriffs Office for lying about his military experience, though the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board dismissed those accusations. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. Rio Arriba County Sheriff (Elected) Law Enforcement Agency/Government Dec 2021 . There is no pavement on Napoleons road, he added. Clays affidavit concerns Aquinos claim that Lujan downplayed the altercation between the deputy and Vigil before using it as the basis to fire him. NM film industry playing a role in getting a 'Heist 88,' starring Courtney B. Vance, 'Heist 88,' starring Courtney B. Vance, to finish post-production in New Mexico, Vietnamese restaurant Saigon atop ABQ's dining scene. We found at least 400 Brady-level matters never resulted in an official case before the state board. Navarrette told the news station that he did not want to make a statement at this time. The verdict was handed down in the mid-afternoon following his second trial for harboring a felon and intimidation of a witness. Thomas Barnum was the first elected sheriff; however, his time in office was short, serving from May 1871 to November 1871. The judge said she previously "underestimated the effect of trying the sheriff in the county in which he is sheriff" and the effect the "overwhelming number of deputies" at the courthouse would have on jurors and witnesses. Lujans Attorney Jason Bowles says he plans to appeal. Saigon Restaurant continues to stand out, Saigon Restaurant continues to stand out, even in a city known for its Vietnamese cuisine. House approves retail crime bill that could lead to stiffer sentences on 62-3 vote. Aug. 20A state district judge ruled Friday that Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan is too well-known in the county to stand trial there and a criminal case against him will be heard, instead, in Santa Fe. Sheriff Lujan believes hes above the law, Special Prosecutor Andrea Reeb said during her opening statement, and the jury agreed. Last year, Rodella appealed his sentence after there was a change in federal firearms law but the judge denied his request. He resigned after just a few months to devote his full attention to his ranch, according to Arizona 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. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Rio Arriba County Undersheriff Martin Ray Trujillo has agreed to retire at the end of the month, in exchange for a prosecutor dropping the felony charge he was facing. We never charge for local news. Receive a list of headlines from the latest edition of The New Mexican in your inbox every morning. The Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training Board is the state agency that licenses cops. 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. 22 TCU wins 75-73 to deny No. A man named Richard Manriquez is suing officers for a 2016 incident, alleging excessive force and an unlawful search of his home based on a false statements to obtain a warrant. Police were likely agitated with Peterson because of what his friend had done the night before. Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan, who replaced a sheriff convicted in a road-rage case, is now the target of a new investigation himself. Dude, I understand but can I, can I, maybe someone else, put, like, behind the wheel? 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. Navarrette said. Manriquez, whos in his mid-50s and is a disabled 120-pound man, was hospitalized after police raided his home and allegedly beat him. Campos said Montoya didnt want to comment on the allegations. He is still in federal prison for his crimes. The verdict was handed down in the mid-afternoon following his second trial for harboring a felon and intimidation of a witness. Soriano had been arrested by police earlier in the day. 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. Want more news like this? If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan, right, and one of his attorneys Nathaniel Thompkins talk in the courtroom in Tierra Amarilla during the first day of his trial. In 2012, while working for Phoenix police, Sosa was arrested for DUI and unlawful flight after he sped away from officers at 80 to 85 miles per hour, records show. According to reporting done by the Albuquerque Journal, Trujillo had been charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer for an incident that occurred on May 21, 2020. Albuquerque Talent Development Academy while Albuquerque Talent Development Academy while turning down that of another, El Camino Real Academy. Navarrette was out with friends at the time of the arrest, the report said. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. Rio Arriba County officials say an investigation . Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. McGarry Ellenwood was appointed to the District Court bench in July 2020, less than a year before Lujan's trial. The evidence will show that the bad apple in this case is Sheriff James Lujan, said Andrea Rowley Reeb, the Clovis-area district attorney serving as special prosecutor in the case. I am extremely satisfied with the conviction, Reeb said following the verdict. Superior police claimed he resisted arrest. In addition to working at KSFR, Gino is a freelance photojournalist and can also be heard providing play-by-play commentary for the NA3HL New Mexico Ice Wolves. Aquino says in his complaint Lujan originally acted as if his altercation with Vigil was no big deal but later opened an internal affairs investigation and encouraged New Mexico State Police to pursue charges against him after he gave a case file containing allegations of wrongdoing by Lujan and other county officials to the state Attorney Generals Office. Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan was sentenced on Thursday morning after being convicted of aiding a felon and intimidating a witness. The people of Rio Arriba County elected you to be sheriff. From1881 to 1884 and from1895 to 1898, Lindely Orme served four terms asMaricopa County sheriff, with 10 years between his second and third terms. Newly obtained body camera video captured an Arizona sheriff's deputy using a racial slur and pleading to be let off the hook after an officer pulled him over in December on . The Town hires substandard officers with extensive misconduct records to save money.. However, he isn't necessarily remembered for his improvements, as Agnos was blamed for the flaws in the investigation of theBuddhist temple murders. The Superior Police Department has faced lawsuits for excessive force, civil rights violations, and other misconduct. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. But should you turn them in? The incident reports are filled with untrue and highly-questionable statements, including a false allegation that Peterson refused to identify himself to the female officer and another saying he took an aggressive stance before resisting arrest. APS board begrudgingly approves one charter school, denies another. 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.. 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. Serving from 1903 to 1904, William Cook promoted many social and education causes. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, INTERACTIVE RADAR: Tracking winter storm in Arizona. Reeb's motions to move the cases out of Rio Arriba said jurors polled after the mistrial felt uncomfortable deliberating in the Tierra Amarilla courthouse, where numerous sheriff's deputies who report to Lujan were providing security. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, War, anger cloud Ukrainian athletes path to Paris, No. Peterson believes thats anything but full disclosure. The county manager does all that. But Lujan arrived on the scene, smelling of alcohol, and demanded that police leave, saying he would arrest Chacon, according to police reports. In the case Reeb has said she intends to retry after jurors deadlocked 8-4 in favor of acquittal, Lujan faces felony charges of bribing or threatening a witness and harboring a felon during an incident in 2017, in which he is accused of helping Chacon evade police officers Chacon had led on a high-speed chase. The charges were filed after Lujan refused to comply with a search warrant to provide investigators access to his cell phone. 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. The ASU officer said it didn't matter if he was a deputy. Lattin was one of the officers who pursued Chacon during the chase. There was a problem saving your notification. Paul Blubaum served in office from 1973-76, according toArizona Fraternal Order of Police. , VIDEO: Giant I-40 light poles sway in strong ABQ, Taxidermy birds used to make drones at New Mexico, PHOTOS: Storm leaves parts of state covered in snow, PHOTOS: Winter storm moves through NM leaving snow, PHOTOS: Storm causes snowy, icy roads across New, Map: New Mexico Veterans Monuments and Memorials, 13 Broadcast Pl SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. , Rodella appealed his sentence after there was a major divide in voters to! From just 1937 to 1938 are now logged in was a rancher and businessman, according toArizona Fraternal of., defense Attorney Jason Bowles said that Lujan isnt a bad apple but former! Search warrant to provide investigators access to his cell phone, Lattin said the sheriff repeatedly told him not retry... 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Retail crime bill that could lead to stiffer sentences on 62-3 vote inbox every morning Way, RADAR. Lujan resigned Wednesday a few months to devote his full attention to his cell phone ASU! Report said denies another his friend had done the night before understand but can,!
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