Two Men Charged with Firearm Possession in School Zone

ALBUQUERQUE – Two Las Cruces men have been charged with possession of a firearm in a school zone after being arrested with weapons near an elementary school.

According to court documents, on the night of September 6, 2025, Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) responded to reports of shots fired at Young Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico. There, officers recovered numerous shell casings from the parking lot.

Shortly after the shooting, police received reports of two males walking through a neighborhood near Hermosa Heights Elementary School carrying firearms. An LCPD sergeant made contact with John Anthony Orta, 24, and Steven Mendoza, 21, directly across from the school. At the time, Orta had a handgun in his waistband and Mendoza was concealing a partially disassembled AR-15 style pistol in his pants. Both men were intoxicated and were initially arrested for Negligent Use of a Deadly Weapon under state law.

During subsequent interviews, Orta admitted carrying the handgun for protection but denied involvement in the shooting. Mendoza acknowledged being at the park and later walking near Hermosa Heights Elementary School with the AR-15 style pistol.

Young Park displays posted signage indicating it is a Safe School Zone where firearms are prohibited. The shooting scene was approximately 540 feet from Lynn Middle School, and the arrest location was approximately 100 feet from Hermosa Heights Elementary School grounds. Ballistic analysis determined the shell casings recovered from Young Park did not match either firearm possessed by Orta or Mendoza.

Orta and Mendoza are charged with possession of a firearm in a school zone. If convicted of the current charges, each faces up to five years in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo is prosecuting both cases.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.