- NEW MEXICO COMPOUND
5 suspects at New Mexico compound face terror chargesALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Five former residents of a New Mexico compound where authorities found the remains of a 3-year-old boy are due in federal court on terrorism-related charges.
The charges include conspiring to attack law enforcement and military members.
The two men and three women living at the compound raided in August are being arraigned Thursday on new federal charges of supporting plans for violent attacks. The charges were included in a superseding indictment last week. The group has been in federal custody since August on firearms charges.
Four members of the group also are charged in the kidnapping of the boy who died at the compound. He had suffered from medical disabilities that authorities say went untreated.
Defense attorneys say the five will plead not guilty to charges.
- NEW MEXICO-SPACE AGENCY
New Mexico Congress delegation wants 'space agency' in stateSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's congressional delegation wants the federal government to set up the planned new space agency in the Land of Enchantment.
All five members of the New Mexico delegation recently wrote a letter to Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan to argue the new Space Development Agency should be established in the state.
The delegation cited White Sands Missile Range, Spaceport America and the national laboratories as reasons for New Mexico as a good home.
The U.S. Department of Defense is establishing a Space Development Agency that would oversee the military's space research, development and acquisition efforts.
It would eventually fold into the so-called Space Force — a new, separate branch of the armed forces.
- FOILED INMATE ESCAPE
2 New Mexico inmates face charges from escape attempt(Information from: Hobbs News-Sun, http://www.hobbsnews.com)
LOVINGTON, N.M. (AP) — Two inmates who authorities say tried to escape from a southwestern New Mexico jail this month are facing kidnapping and conspiracy charges.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports Gabriel Rodriguez and Justin Hobbs were recently charged following their alleged escape on March 6 from the Lea County Detention Center.
According to Lovington police, the 28-year-old Rodriguez and the 23-year-old Hobbs attacked a corrections officer during their escape attempt. Police say the pair briefly overpowered the guard, then beat and restrained him.
The inmates were later taken into custody.
Records indicate both prisoners have lengthy criminal histories and are facing multi-year sentences in relation to other cases.
It was not known if the inmates had attorneys in their new cases.
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- HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY-FELICIA ORTIZ
Las Vegas, Nevada, entrepreneur to address Highlands gradsLAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — A Las Vegas, Nevada, entrepreneur is scheduled to give the commencement address at her Las Vegas, New Mexico, alma mater.
Highlands University announced Wednesday that Felicia Ortiz has been selected to speak at the school's commencement ceremony on May 11.
Ortiz graduated from Highlands University in 2001 and now is the president and CEO of PM Solutions Consulting, a project management firm. She also serves on the Nevada State Board of Education.
Ortiz has also been a leader in organizations such as the Latino Leadership Council and the Latino Leadership Network of Southern Nevada.
In 2018, Ortiz became a member of the Highlands University Foundation board of directors.
- EX-SANDIA LABS EMPLOYEE-THEFT
Ex-Sandia Labs employee is accused of misusing credit cardsALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An Albuquerque man who's a former Sandia National Laboratories employee has been arraigned on charges of theft and conversion of federal funds.
Prosecutors say 37-year-old Joshua Cordova appeared in federal court Tuesday.
Cordova previously trained military, law enforcement and emergency response personnel in the use of equipment developed by Sandia Labs.
Authorities say Cordova had government-funded credit cards to purchase needed equipment and supplies.
An indictment alleges Cordova used the credit cards to purchase thousands of dollars in merchandise for himself including expensive jewelry, clothing, sports equipment, electronics and appliances.
Prosecutors say Cordova is out of custody pending trial and he faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
- US-MEXICO-ASYLUM
Schedule glitches lead judge to deny deportation requestSAN DIEGO (AP) — Scheduling glitches led an immigration judge to deny a Trump administration request to order four migrants deported because they failed to appear for initial hearings in the U.S. while being forced to wait in Mexico.
The refusal Wednesday by Judge Scott Simpson was a setback for the administration's highly touted initiative to make asylum seekers wait in Mexico while their cases wind through U.S. immigration courts.
One migrant in the San Diego court had a notice to appear at the end of March but later learned that he was supposed to show up Wednesday. He said he barely made it.
The judge asked the administration to file a brief by April 10 that explains how it can assure migrants are properly notified of court appointments.
- STATE POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED
State Police officer arrested by Chaves County authoritiesCHAVES COUNTY, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a New Mexico State Police officer has been arrested for allegedly violating various state laws.
The Chaves County Sheriff's Department opened a criminal investigation into 24-year-old Ricky Romero early this month.
Sheriff's officials didn't disclose Wednesday what state laws Romero is accused of violating.
It's unclear if Romero has a lawyer who can speak on his behalf.
State Police say the department has fully cooperated with the Chaves County investigation and will continue to do so.
Police launched their own internal affairs investigation and say Romero was placed on administrative leave.
In addition to the criminal charges, authorities say Romero is facing discipline up to being fired.
Romero has been employed with State Police since May 2017 and been stationed in Roswell.
- HISPANIC CENTER-FIRE
Agent: Guard, friend accused in Hispanic culture center fireALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — State officials say a fire causing hundreds of dollars in damage at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque was sparked by "simulated doobies" that one agent described as weeds rolled in paper.
Mark Torres, the special agent in charge of the Office of Superintendent of Insurance said Wednesday that 26-year-old Mathew Luxon, a security guard supervisor at the center, and his friend 29-year-old Lyle Thompson have been charged with negligent arson and conspiracy in the March 9 fire. Online court records did not immediately list attorneys for them.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the men are accused of firing an on-duty weapon off a balcony, and setting the fire in a mechanical room after time drinking downtown. The blaze resulted in indoor sprinklers running for hours.
There were no reported injuries.