From the Las Vegas Optic ALAMOSA, Colo. — They are struggling, often at the lowest point in their lives. Then they’re arrested. Charged with a crime, they face fines, fees and maybe even a lengthy sentence behind bars. They come from varied backgrounds and walks of life. The events that led them into the courtroom…
From the Las Vegas Optic One man is hospitalized and one man is facing felony charges following a shooting Sunday evening on the west side of Las Vegas. Dominic A. Lopez, 28, of Las Vegas, was arrested Sunday night and charged with one count of third-degree felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and two…
From the Las Vegas Optic Editor’s note: The following is part five in an ongoing series on drug and alcohol addiction in San Miguel and Mora counties. In the coming weeks, we’ll explore what’s being done about it and take a look at how other communities are addressing addiction. Ashley N. Fernandez approached the nondescript…
From the Las Vegas Optic No new coronavirus cases were detected during testing of all inmates and staff at the San Miguel County Detention Center, according to Warden Matt Elwell. The testing was prompted after one inmate tested positive May 5 during routine testing. New Mexico Department of Health officials tested staff and other inmates…
From the Las Vegas Optic Twenty-two staff members at the San Miguel County Detention Center are currently living at the jail after an inmate tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday, according to Warden Matthew Elwell. New Mexico Department of Health officials tested all inmates and staff members on Wednesday, though he was not given a time…
From the Las Vegas Optic A Pecos man was charged with two felony counts of child abuse for allegedly kicking and slapping his children on several occasions, according to court records. Andrew Page, 39, was charged April 6 with two counts of child abuse not resulting in death or great bodily harm, both third-degree felonies.…
From the Las Vegas Optic Most businesses and some government offices have closed temporarily to help slow the spread of COVID-19, but closing isn’t an option for the state’s courts and jails. The U.S. Constitution provides several rights to anyone charged with a crime, and the New Mexico Rules of Criminal Procedure further outline rights…
From the Las Vegas Optic Criminal bookings at the San Miguel County Detention Center have decreased substantially since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in New Mexico on March 11, according to data compiled by the Optic. During the two-week period of March 11 to March 25 in 2019, SMCDC had 92 criminal bookings. During…
From the Idaho Business Review Although many people likely view reporting to a probation officer as a punishment, Ada County Juvenile Court Probation Supervisor Leahann Romero said her goal is to instead make those visits about rehabilitation. It’s an approach that has shown success. By helping juveniles in the criminal court system set and meet…
From the Las Vegas Optic Officials with the San Miguel County Detention Center have suspended in-person visitation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Warden Matt Elwell told the Optic the suspension of visitations will last at least three weeks, and that officials will review the policy at that point. “We’ve canceled our public visitation, and (are preventing)…
