Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman

DETAINED -- TWO TEENS CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER FOR FATAL SHOOTING DURING ROAD RAGE WILL REMAIN IN CUSTODY Today, a judge ruled two 17-year-olds remain at a juvenile detention facility, charged with shooting and killing 59-year-old David Whiting. The victim was shot in the face. BACKGROUND: Albuquerque Police homicide detectives have charged two juveniles with an open count of murder in connection with the July 12, 2026, road-rage shooting that killed 59-year-old David Whiting. The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office is in the process of charging the teens as adults. Investigators believe Whiting was driving home with his wife after a lowrider gathering in Old Town when a red Chrysler sedan began tailgating and brake-checking his vehicle. After both vehicles stopped at the intersection of Marquez and 8th Street, Whiting approached the Chrysler and exchanged words with the occupants before shots were fired from inside the car, fatally striking him. Investigators used surveillance video, license plate readers, and other evidence to identify the suspect vehicle and execute a search warrant at a South Valley home. During the investigation, one juvenile admitted to firing the shots, while the adult suspect is accused of attempting to hide firearms and helping conceal evidence before police arrived. The adult was booked into the Metro Detention Center, while the two juveniles were booked into the Juvenile Detention Center. New Mexico Law does not allow our office to post names of juvenile suspects on social media.

ABQ COUPLE PLEADS GUILTY IN CHILD'S FENTANYL & METH OVERDOSE DEATH - Today, Monique Sanchez and Thomas Soto pled guilty to Abandonment of a Child Resulting in Death and Child Abuse in connection with the overdose death of an infant in 2024. BACKGROUND: Sanchez and Soto were hosting a Super Bowl party at Soto's apartment on Montgomery and I-25 when they placed the infant on a couch to sleep. The 1-year-old was later found unresponsive and could not be revived. The Office of the Medical Investigator determined the infant died from acute fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity. Investigators also found drug residue on a jacket that had been left on the couch where the child had been sleeping. Two additional children living in the home had also been exposed to fentanyl and methamphetamine, with both testing positive for the drugs. "The death of this child is a heartbreaking and infuriating reminder that methamphetamine and fentanyl continue to claim the lives of our most vulnerable. No child should die from drug exposure, and parents and caregivers have a responsibility to keep children safe. Prosecutors in our Special Victims Unit are seeing this horrific crime far too often." -- Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman

MAN CONVICTED OF BABY'S DEATH FROM METH EXPOSURE - SENTENCED Today a judge sentenced Lawrence Gabaldon to 38 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department. In March, a jury convicted Gabaldon of Reckless Abuse of a Child Resulting in Death, Abuse of a Child, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Fentanyl, and Trafficking Controlled Substances. BACKGROUND: On July 16, 2023, an Albuquerque Police Department officer was flagged down to a motel on Iliff Road in northwest Albuquerque after reports that a 6-month-old infant was not breathing. The officer entered the motel room and immediately began life-saving efforts, but the baby girl was pronounced dead. Her twin sister, who was also in the room, survived; however, medical testing revealed that she had also been exposed to multiple drugs. During the investigation, detectives learned that the twins' father, Gabaldon, was living in the motel room with the children's mother. Officers found the room littered with illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI) determined the baby girl's cause of death was the toxic effects of methamphetamine exposure. The surviving twin also tested positive for exposure to multiple controlled substances, highlighting the hazardous conditions in which the children were living. In May 2024, the baby's mother, Gloria Tesillo, was convicted for her part in the death of her little girl. The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office Special Victims Unit attorneys, Rebekah Reyes and Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, prosecuted this case.

MAN CONVICTED OF RAPING LITTLE GIRL SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 5 DECADES IN PRISON — Today a judge sentenced Skye Balboa to 54 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department. In February, a jury convicted Balboa of seven counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration of a Child Under 13 and one count of Intimidation of a Witness. BACKGROUND -- Balboa repeatedly sexually abused the child for years. The abuse began when the child was approximately five years old. Although Balboa did not live with the child, he was familiar with her family. The case was prosecuted by the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office Special Victims Unit.

MAN PLEADS NO CONTEST FOR DEATH OF FOUR-MONTH-OLD INFANT Today, Victor Gonzales Pleaded No Contest To Reckless Abuse of a Child Resulting in Death.  BACKGROUND: On June 5, 2025, Gonzales admitted to investigators that he had used fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin in the past. The investigation revealed that Gonzales and the infant's mother were using illegal drugs while in the home with their four-month-old baby boy. The pair went to sleep in the same bed as the infant after using narcotics. The infant was exposed to meth and stopped breathing. Gonzales also claimed he rolled over on top of the baby while he was sleeping. Despite efforts to save the child, the baby died.  Investigators also learned the child had been born in January 2025 with fentanyl and methamphetamine in his system, indicating prenatal exposure. CYFD allowed the child to be placed in the home on a "safety plan" after the baby was released from the hospital. The investigation further revealed that the child's mother and Gonzales were active drug users throughout the child's life.  Because Gonzales is a convicted felon, four additional years were added to his sentence. He will serve 22 years in prison. The mother's case is still pending trial. "This holds Gonzales accountable for the tragic and preventable death of a vulnerable child," said Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman. "Our office remains committed to prosecuting those whose reckless actions put children in harm's way and ensuring justice for victims who cannot speak for themselves."

MOTHER SENTENCED IN CONNECTION TO SHOOTING DEATH OF HER TODDLER -- Today, a judge sentenced Amillia Garcia to ten years in the New Mexico Corrections Department. In April, 2025, Garcia's 2-year-old son, Leon got a hold of a loaded gun that was left on the couch in the living room and shot himself. The child did not survive. In March, Garcia pleaded guilty to Abandonment of a Child Resulting in Death (Firearm Enhancement), and Tampering with Evidence. Three other adults were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting. Two of them took the gun and left the apartment. They have also been prosecuted for their part in this tragic case.

MAN WHO SEXUALLY ABUSED LITTLE GIRL MULTIPLE TIMES — SENTENCED TO 39 YEARS IN PRISON.  Today a judge sentenced Armando Mason to 39 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department. BACKGROUND:  In January, a jury convicted Mason of five counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration of a child under 13, one count of Child Abuse, and one count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. Mason was living with the child's family but was not related to the little girl. He had recently been released from prison when he moved into the victim's home. He began sexually abusing her in 2020.  A year later, she disclosed the abuse.

Two men have been sentenced for their roles in the kidnapping and shooting of an Albuquerque man. Today, a judge sentenced Michael Padilla to 15 years in prison and Andrew Foreman was sentenced to 12 years in prison. BACKGROUND:  Padilla and Foreman were two of five people involved in a brutal crime in which the victim was held hostage for approximately 36 hours at the Bow and Arrow Lodge Motel. During the ordeal, Padilla repeatedly beat the victim with a firearm.  Then the group drove the victim to an area near Snow Heights, where Padilla and Foreman shot the victim three times and left him for dead. Despite his injuries, the victim survived. Last week, Padilla and Foreman pled guilty to Kidnapping, Aggravated Battery and Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping.

MAN WHO PRETENDED TO BE VICTIM'S UNCLE THEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HER MULTIPLE TIMES, SENTENCED TO MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT ALLOWED UNDER NM LAW -- Today, a judge sentenced Alberto Carpio-Villanueva to 69 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department. BACKGROUND: Caprio-Villanueva brought the 15-year-old victim to New Mexico from Honduras, pretended to be her uncle, then sexually assaulted her from April 2021 until June 2021. In March, a jury found him guilty of 8 crimes, including three counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration of a Minor, one Count of Child Exploitation (manufacturing), two counts of Child Abuse, and two counts of Intimidation of a Witness. "This type of horrific crime will not be tolerated in Bernalillo County. I am incredibly proud of the prosecutors who worked tirelessly to secure justice for this young victim and to hold this defendant fully accountable for his actions." — Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman

CONVICTED — Jury Convicts Man for Assaulting Albuquerque Jewelry Store Employee Today, a jury convicted Jesus Cardenas Garcia of multiple crimes, including Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer, Criminal Damage to Property, and Concealing Identity. BACKGROUND: On October 7, 2025, an employee at Palms Trading Company on Lomas Boulevard in downtown Albuquerque saw Garcia rummaging through the employee's vehicle. When the employee confronted him, Garcia picked up a baseball-sized rock, threatened the employee with it, and then smashed the vehicle's windshield. About an hour later, Albuquerque police officers located Garcia and attempted to detain him. Garcia resisted arrest and refused to identify himself to officers. This case was prosecuted by Alejandro Albarran and Ron Lolordo.

MAN CHARGED WITH HAVING DOZENS OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT VIDEOS & PHOTOS OF CHILDREN -- DETAINED Today, a judge ruled Kenneth Broadnax-Ruelas will remain in custody while his criminal case moves forward. Investigators believe last May, Broadnax-Ruelas brought a one-year-old child to a hospital with severe injuries, claiming the child had fallen. Medical staff determined the injuries were not consistent with a fall. Police say Broadnax-Ruelas told detectives he had a video from the only time he was alone with the baby. After obtaining a search warrant for his phone, investigators discovered more than 80 files containing child sexual abuse material of multiple children.

MAN CHARGED WITH FATALLY BEATING VICTIM TO DEATH WITH A BASEBALL BAT DETAINED -- Today, a judge ruled Darren De Herrera will remain in custody as his case goes through the judicial process. BACKGROUND:  June 11, investigators believe De Herrera repeatedly struck Dwayne Burwell with a baseball bat outside a smoke shop on San Pedro Drive in SE Albuquerque.  Burwell died from the attack three days later.   De Herrera is currently charged with an Open Count of Murder.

JURY CONVICTS MAN OF SHOOTING ROOMMATE IN THE FACE & LEGS -- On Valentine's Day 2025, Manuel Vargas shot his roommate multiple times after he evicted Vargas from his apartment near Skyline and Juan Tabo NE. BACKGROUND: The victim and Vargas had known each other for a few months when they began arguing over multiple issues. The victim told Vargas to move out of his apartment. Vargas became angry and shot the victim in his face and legs. The victim survived his injuries but has had multiple surgeries. Vargas was convicted of Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon/Great Bodily Harm) and Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon). Adrian Gandara and Caroline Andrews prosecuted this case.

🇺🇸 From all of us at the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, we wish you and your loved ones a safe, happy, and memorable Fourth of July! As you celebrate, please stay safe, look out for one another, and enjoy the holiday responsibly. Happy Independence Day!

Jury Convicts Man of First-Degree Murder for Fatal Shooting of Ex-Wife's Boyfriend - This afternoon, a jury found Yojany Pacheco Hernandez guilty of First-Degree Murder in the October 2024 shooting death of Lisvany Penaranda. The shooting happened at the Volcanes Commons apartment complex, located just west of Coors. Leading up to the homicide, Pacheco Hernandez warned his ex-wife and the victim to stay away from each other or "there would be lots of problems." Penaranda was his cousin. Security video and cell phone data placed Pacheco Hernandez at the crime scene that same morning. He will be sentenced to life in prison. Sentencing will take place at a later date.

MAN CONVICTED OF EXPOSING BABY TO DRUGS This afternoon, a jury found Matthew Ledoux guilty of Child Abuse and Tampering with Evidence. March 29, 2025, Ledoux brought his seven-month-old daughter to a hospital. Test results showed the infant had been exposed to amphetamines. Evidence showed Ledoux knew drugs were being used inside the home near Copper Avenue and Wyoming Boulevard NE. He attempted to conceal the evidence by cleaning the house before investigators arrived. The child survived. Because Ledoux has been designated a habitual offender, he faces more than 20 years in prison at sentencing. Joseph Stevens and Crystal Cabrido prosecuted the case.

👏 So proud of our Metro Court Team! 👏 In one month, our incredible team handled an exceptionally busy trial docket, securing 18 convictions. Our Metro Court staff works tirelessly every day to prosecute cases ranging from DWI offenses, shoplifting, and domestic violence, working to keep our community safe and ensuring justice is served. Thank you to each member of our Metro Court Team for your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving our community. Your hard work makes a difference every single day! 💙