Albuquerque, New Mexico – Elias Urioste, 24, was sentenced to serve 40 years in a New Mexico prison for the 2007 murder of Rio Rancho resident Vincent Espinosa. Urioste had previously been found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, kidnaping and seven other felony charges during his August 2009 trial.
In February 2007, police discovered Espinosa’s body burned on the Albuquerque West Mesa several weeks after his family reported him missing. Urioste, James Gordon and Jose Sullivan were later charged with his murder.
During the trial, the State argued that Urioste, Gordon and Sullivan conspired to rob Espinoza of jewelry and other items as the group rode around Albuquerque. Urioste took the stand in his own defense and admitted to shooting Espinoza once. He offered no explanation as to how the body of Espinoza was later found burned with additional gunshot wounds.
During the sentencing hearing before District Court Judge Carl Butkus, Espinosa’s mother spoke through tears about the loss of her son, an aspiring cage fighter and state champion high school wrestler. After hearing arguments from both the State and defense, Judge Butkus noted that “the jury has placed personal responsibility on Mr. Urioste”, and imposed a sentence of 40 years, the maximum available under New Mexico law.
District Attorney Kari Brandenburg again applauded the extensive dedication of both prosecutors and investigators involved in this case.
Both James Gordon and Jose Sullivan still face trial for their role in the killing. Trial dates for each have been postponed several times.Prosecutors with the Gang Crimes Division of the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Bernalillo County To Try Innovative Anti-DWI Campaign
A new way of looking to prevent DWI?
This Thanksgiving Eve, Bernalillo County residents will be able to call for free cab rides TO their favorite bar or club, in addition to getting a free ride home. The county's news release is available here:
http://www.bernco.gov/live/default.asp?hotnews=204160
It is an interesting idea. It seems that the idea is that persons who drink may be reluctant to leave their vehicles at bars overnight so they would rather chance a DWI or crash. As the news release notes, we have made some huge strides in DWI prevention in Bernalillo County, but we are far from perfect.
Whatever your holiday plans, please plan to have a safe one and choose not to drink and drive. Now you can even call a cab both ways.
This Thanksgiving Eve, Bernalillo County residents will be able to call for free cab rides TO their favorite bar or club, in addition to getting a free ride home. The county's news release is available here:
http://www.bernco.gov/live/default.asp?hotnews=204160
It is an interesting idea. It seems that the idea is that persons who drink may be reluctant to leave their vehicles at bars overnight so they would rather chance a DWI or crash. As the news release notes, we have made some huge strides in DWI prevention in Bernalillo County, but we are far from perfect.
Whatever your holiday plans, please plan to have a safe one and choose not to drink and drive. Now you can even call a cab both ways.
FUGITIVE OF THE MONTH: Mallorie Chavez
Mallorie Chavez, 22, failed to appear for arraignment earlier this month after she was indicted for Child Abuse & Great Bodily Harm by Vehicle (along with a few other traffic charges) stemming from a February 2009 incident.
Chavez was driving on Atrisco Blvd SW, without a license and possibly while using her cell phone, when she struck a 6-year old child who was walking along the roadside. The child sustained serious injuries, from which she has now almost fully recovered.
Chavez was arrested numerous times before for not having a license.
She is believed to still be in the Albuquerque area, and deserves to be held accountable for her actions. Help us find her. Call Crime Stoppers at 505-813-STOP to turn her in!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Jason Skaggs to Serve 30 ½ Years For Mistaken Identity Murder
NEWS RELEASE
Albuquerque, New Mexico – Jason Skaggs, 36, appeared in District Court in Albuquerque today and was sentenced to serve 30 years and six months for his role in the in the mistaken identity murder of newlywed Scott Pierce at Pierce’s home in June 2008.
In July, Skaggs appeared before Judge Ross Sanchez and entered pleas of guilty to:
1. Second Degree Murder (Firearm Enhancement)
2. Aggravated Burglary with a Deadly Weapon (Firearm Enhancement)
3. Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Burglary with a Deadly Weapon
4. Criminal Solicitation to Commit Murder
During sentencing today, members of the Pierce family, as well as homicide detective Michael Fox of the Albuquerque Police Department addressed the court asking for the imposition of all 30 ½ years of incarceration available under the plea agreement reached in July. Kathryn Pierce, the widow of Scott Pierce, noted that she had agreed to the terms of the plea agreement because it spared her and her family from reliving the tragedy of their loss.
Skaggs lowered his head and openly wept during this portion of the hearing, but later addressed the court himself asking for leniency. In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Sanchez called Skaggs “a central figure in this horrible tragedy that took the life of Scott Pierce.”
In announcing the verdict, District Attorney Kari Brandenburg adds that, “This sentencing is bittersweet for all involved. So many of the members of our office have become close to the Pierce family throughout this tragic ordeal. But, we are glad that we have finally reached a point in this case where we can all feel like some small measure of justice has been achieved.”
Prosecutors with the Gang Crimes Division of the District Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case. The office is led by District Attorney Kari Brandenburg, who is serving her third term in the position since first being elected in 2001.
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Albuquerque, New Mexico – Jason Skaggs, 36, appeared in District Court in Albuquerque today and was sentenced to serve 30 years and six months for his role in the in the mistaken identity murder of newlywed Scott Pierce at Pierce’s home in June 2008.
In July, Skaggs appeared before Judge Ross Sanchez and entered pleas of guilty to:
1. Second Degree Murder (Firearm Enhancement)
2. Aggravated Burglary with a Deadly Weapon (Firearm Enhancement)
3. Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Burglary with a Deadly Weapon
4. Criminal Solicitation to Commit Murder
During sentencing today, members of the Pierce family, as well as homicide detective Michael Fox of the Albuquerque Police Department addressed the court asking for the imposition of all 30 ½ years of incarceration available under the plea agreement reached in July. Kathryn Pierce, the widow of Scott Pierce, noted that she had agreed to the terms of the plea agreement because it spared her and her family from reliving the tragedy of their loss.
Skaggs lowered his head and openly wept during this portion of the hearing, but later addressed the court himself asking for leniency. In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Sanchez called Skaggs “a central figure in this horrible tragedy that took the life of Scott Pierce.”
In announcing the verdict, District Attorney Kari Brandenburg adds that, “This sentencing is bittersweet for all involved. So many of the members of our office have become close to the Pierce family throughout this tragic ordeal. But, we are glad that we have finally reached a point in this case where we can all feel like some small measure of justice has been achieved.”
Prosecutors with the Gang Crimes Division of the District Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case. The office is led by District Attorney Kari Brandenburg, who is serving her third term in the position since first being elected in 2001.
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Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Albuquerque Serial Rapist to Face Extradition Hearing in Colorado
Albuquerque, New Mexico – The Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office has filed a detainer holding Robert Howard Bruce, 47, dubbed the “Ether Man”, in custody in Pueblo County, Colorado until he can be returned to New Mexico to face charges for the rapes of 11 Albuquerque women between 1991 and 2000.
On Friday, a Bernalillo County District Court judge issued an arrest warrant for Bruce charging him with 44 felony counts, including multiple counts each of Criminal Sexual Penetration, Kidnapping, and Aggravated Burglary. He is currently in custody in Pueblo, Colorado on local charges.
On Tuesday morning, our office was notified that Bruce had been served with the New Mexico warrant and extradition staff in the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s office immediately began proceedings to ensure that Bruce is held until extradition proceedings against him can begin. Bruce is expected to face an extradition hearing in Colorado soon, but all local charges must be adjudicated against a fugitive before he can be transferred to another state to answer charges there.
Rules governing the speedy initiation of trial in New Mexico do not apply until Bruce is returned to Bernalillo County.
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Monday, November 2, 2009
Three Albuquerque Top Offenders Indicted on New Charges
CONTACT: Patrick Davis, Public Information Officer (505) 908-8591
NEWS RELEASE
Three Albuquerque Top Offenders Indicted on New Charges
Face 40 New Charges & Years of Incarceration
Albuquerque, New Mexico – Bernalillo County District Attorney Kari Brandenburg announces that three of the Albuquerque Police Department’s October “Top 5" offenders have been indicted on a total of 40 new charges.
Matthew Lucero, 29, Manuel Baca, 40, and Desean Stringer, 33, were each featured by Albuquerque Police in October as Top 5 Offenders. Prosecutors with the District Attorney’s Office worked with police to identify cases involving these offenders and to move these cases to indictment as quickly as possible. As a result of this effort, the offenders have indicted on new charges and face new terms of imprisonment.
Top 5 Offenders are identified by law enforcement and prosecutors because of their continued criminal activity in Albuquerque.
Matthew Lucero faces 29 new felony charges including Aggravated Burglary (Armed After Entering), Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Conspiracy, Kidnaping and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He is also held on a probation violation based on this indictment. Lucero has previously served time as a Habitual Offender for Robbery and Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle. He is currently in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center on a no bond hold.
Manuel Baca faces five new felony charges including three counts of Auto Burglary, Possession of Burglary Tools and Conspiracy. He is set to be arraigned on November 16 when his bond and conditions of release will be set. He has previously been convicted on numerous larceny offenses.
Desean Stringer faces four new felony charges of Trafficking Methamphetamine (2 counts), Possession of Heroin and Receiving/Transferring a Stolen Vehicle, in addition to two new misdemeanor charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is currently in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center on a $50,000 cash/surety bond and is set to be arraigned on November 5, 2009. Stringer is a previously convicted felon, having pleaded no contest to Receiving/Transferring a Stolen Vehicle and having violated probation.
Robert Escobar, 47, was also identified as a Top 5 Offender, is in custody facing new misdemeanor Shoplifting charges and for violating conditions of release in other cases. He is currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center on a No Bond hold pending a hearing to consider conditions of release.
The final Top 5 Offender is not currently facing any charges.
“These defendants have shown that they have little regard for the law,” District Attorney Kari Brandenburg says. “Repeat offenders are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime in our community, and it is through cooperative efforts like the Top 5 Offender program that we are able to take these offenders off of our streets.”
The Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which includes all of Bernalillo County, prosecuted approximately 30,000 criminal cases in 2008. It is led by District Attorney Kari Brandenburg, who is serving in her third elected term in that position.
Matthew Lucero, 29, Manuel Baca, 40, and Desean Stringer, 33, were each featured by Albuquerque Police in October as Top 5 Offenders. Prosecutors with the District Attorney’s Office worked with police to identify cases involving these offenders and to move these cases to indictment as quickly as possible. As a result of this effort, the offenders have indicted on new charges and face new terms of imprisonment.
Top 5 Offenders are identified by law enforcement and prosecutors because of their continued criminal activity in Albuquerque.
Matthew Lucero faces 29 new felony charges including Aggravated Burglary (Armed After Entering), Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Conspiracy, Kidnaping and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He is also held on a probation violation based on this indictment. Lucero has previously served time as a Habitual Offender for Robbery and Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle. He is currently in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center on a no bond hold.
Manuel Baca faces five new felony charges including three counts of Auto Burglary, Possession of Burglary Tools and Conspiracy. He is set to be arraigned on November 16 when his bond and conditions of release will be set. He has previously been convicted on numerous larceny offenses.
Desean Stringer faces four new felony charges of Trafficking Methamphetamine (2 counts), Possession of Heroin and Receiving/Transferring a Stolen Vehicle, in addition to two new misdemeanor charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is currently in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center on a $50,000 cash/surety bond and is set to be arraigned on November 5, 2009. Stringer is a previously convicted felon, having pleaded no contest to Receiving/Transferring a Stolen Vehicle and having violated probation.
Robert Escobar, 47, was also identified as a Top 5 Offender, is in custody facing new misdemeanor Shoplifting charges and for violating conditions of release in other cases. He is currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center on a No Bond hold pending a hearing to consider conditions of release.
The final Top 5 Offender is not currently facing any charges.
“These defendants have shown that they have little regard for the law,” District Attorney Kari Brandenburg says. “Repeat offenders are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime in our community, and it is through cooperative efforts like the Top 5 Offender program that we are able to take these offenders off of our streets.”
The Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which includes all of Bernalillo County, prosecuted approximately 30,000 criminal cases in 2008. It is led by District Attorney Kari Brandenburg, who is serving in her third elected term in that position.
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