News

Joshua Rico, 26, of Pecos, New Mexico, pleaded guilty on Dec. 22 to five counts of coercion and enticement of minors.

Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, is promoting information and resources to highlight environmental justice and assist the public in reporting criminal environmental violations.

Karl Shroulote, Sr., 46, of Acoma, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Acoma, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse in Indian Country.

A federal jury on Dec. 16 returned a guilty verdict on James Anthony Sandoval, 57, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, on 33 counts of theft of government property and one count each of making false statements and false statements on a Social Security form.

Darrell Desiderio, 45, of Gallup, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced on Dec. 16 to 25 years in prison for second degree murder in Indian Country.

Gerardo Rafael Lara-Yanez, 24, of Albuquerque, was charged in federal court with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, conspiracy, being a felon in possession of a firearm, being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, and possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

A federal jury on Dec. 12 returned a guilty verdict on Derris Deshune Carpenter, 40, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Eric Chandler Watson, 21, of Tohatchi, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, made an initial appearance in federal court on a criminal complaint charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country.

Juan Rodriguez, 38, of Roswell, New Mexico, was charged by criminal complaint with sex trafficking of children.

Alfonso Salcido Herrera, Jr., 45, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, made an initial appearance in federal court on Dec. 12 on a criminal charging him with coercion and enticement of minors, sex trafficking of children, and transportation of minors.

Audera Lee, 38, of Farmington, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison for to assault with a dangerous weapon.

Paul Michael Astorga, 36, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was sentenced on Dec. 8 to 26 years and eight months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.