Latest news with #AlbuquerqueJournal
New York Post
19-07-2025
- New York Post
Cop threatened colleague with Taser before bashing bunny to death
A heartless New Mexico cop who belly laughed after slamming a baby bunny against the side of a police car has been arrested for animal cruelty and placed on paid leave — but his attorney believes he did nothing wrong. Bodycam footage from Aug. 16, 2024, caught the moment Grant County Sheriff's Deputy Alejandro Gomez demanded another deputy hand over a small rabbit that was found on a dirt road outside Hachita, a town just miles from the Mexican border, reported the Albuquerque Journal. The deputy who found and was holding the animal believed Gomez would kill it, and only handed it over after Gomez threatened him with a Taser gun. Supervisors were also present at the time of the incident. Advertisement 4 Deputy Alejandro Gomez of the Grant County Sheriff's Office promised the helpless animal would be safe. Renee Pena Truitt / Facebook In the video, Gomez, 27, swears on the life of his children he won't throw or kill the bunny. But just moments after he's handed the animal, he smiles at the camera and then flings it at the vehicle with the force of a fastball. Advertisement The other deputy told New Mexico State police the bunny was clinging to life after the throw, and that he had to kill the animal to end its suffering. 4 Gomez grinned as he readied himself to throw the animal. Renee Pena Truitt / Facebook The diabolical deputy has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon upon a peace officer and one count of extreme cruelty to animals, according to the Journal. He will remain on paid leave until his criminal case is resolved. The supervisors are not facing disciplinary action. Advertisement 4 The callous cop has been charged with five criminal counts. Renee Pena Truitt / Facebook 'We don't think he did anything wrong, obviously,' Gary Mitchell, Gomez's attorney, told the Journal, calling it 'an inner-office situation that should not have turned into a criminal case.' The attorney added that he was 'waiting to see what evidence the state has.' Advertisement The Journal reports Grant County Sheriff's Office Internal Affairs investigators looked into the matter, with 'little or no action being taken against the deputies or supervisors involved.' 4 How low can one man get? Renee Pena Truitt / Facebook Days before the bunny was found, Gomez allegedly pointed his Taser at the same deputy following a disagreement over a cell phone, according to the outlet. After the bunny died, Gomez was standing behind the same deputy when he allegedly pointed his service weapon at the officer's back. When questioned about the threatening move, he told other colleagues he was 'only testing his duty-mounted light.'
Miami Herald
07-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Man kidnapped woman, chained her in his garage and raped her, NM officials say
A man kidnapped a woman, then repeatedly raped her in his garage in 2022, New Mexico prosecutors say. Now Celso Montano has been sentenced to 52 years in prison, the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office said in a July 3 Facebook post. 'There is no question that the defendant tortured, humiliated a woman who frankly, under the circumstances is lucky to be alive today,' Judge Cindy Leos said during Montano's sentencing hearing, KRQE reported. Montano is accused of kidnapping a woman in April 2022, prosecutors said in a June Facebook post. He then 'restrained her in his garage using chains, and repeatedly sexually assaulted her,' prosecutors said. For the next two years, Montano continued to harass the woman, threatening her and offering her 'anything of value' to prevent her from reporting the incident, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Albuquerque Journal. Montano's 'sentencing comes after a thorough investigation into a series of sexual assaults spanning over three decades,' the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Over the years, Montano 'targeted vulnerable women,' deputies said. Then, in 2022, 'a brave survivor came forward,' which set off an investigation into Montano, deputies said. A jury found him guilty of multiple counts, including kidnapping, criminal sexual penetration, aggravated battery and witness intimidation in June, prosecutors said. 'We are thankful for the survivor's bravery for following this case to the end and getting justice,' Deputy District Attorney Jack Jacks said in the post. Montano was charged in 'multiple sexual assaults spanning from 1996 to 2023,' but 'this is his first conviction,' according to prosecutors. 'We recognize this case as a major victory for survivors and a testament to the power of persistence, professionalism, and bravery,' deputies said.
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Carson Herron, son of PGA Tour veterean Lumpy, Monday qualifies for John Deere Classic
Little Lumpy is going to The Show this week. Carson Herron, whose father Tim "Lumpy" Herron won four times and made 560 career starts from 1996 through 2019, earned one of four spots into the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic at Monday qualifying in a three-for-one playoff. The 22-year-old Herron shot a 6-under 66 early Monday at Pinnacle Country Club in Milan, Illinois. With some low scores already posted, he didn't think it was going to be enough and drove back to the house where he was staying and killed time by fishing in the pond out back. 'Caught a bunch of bass,' the former University of New Mexico Lobo told the Albuquerque Journal. Blake McShea of Wendell, North Carolina, and Michael Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama, matched Herron's 66, forcing him to return to the course and battle on. He birdied the first playoff hole but one of his competitors – he couldn't recall which one – chipped in for birdie to extend the playoff. They both made par at the second hole but Herron sealed the deal in style, sticking his tee shot at the par-3 third hole to 2 feet. 'Everyone's working really hard, so it's just getting out there and continuing to push yourself to go lower and compete because it's not always going to go your way,' Herron told the Journal. 'But when it does, just cherish it and continue to learn and have fun.' Josh Radcliff of Grapevine, Texas, shot a sizzling 9-under 63 to earn medalist honors at the qualifier and solidify his Tour debut. Korn Ferry Tour players Petr Hruby and Zack Fischer also advanced to the John Deere Classic with 64. Those who weren't so lucky at the Monday qualifier included teen Blades Brown, veteran Nick Watney and another recent college grad, Ian Gilligan. Herron won twice during his senior campaign at New Mexico, his dad's alma mater too, and led the Lobos to an NCAA Championship appearance. He ranked No. 47 in the PGA Tour University rankings and turned pro with no status on a developmental tour. But this week he's got a Thursday tee time secured at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, where his dear old dad, who earned his nickname for his husky physique, competed 11 times and recorded one top-10 finish. 'I'd always come and watch him play. He had some success there, and he really liked it,' Carson said of his dad. 'It was exciting just to come play here and see if I could make it.'
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Jon Jones retires from UFC with heartfelt message as fresh legal trouble shadows final exit
Jon Jones, one of the most dominant and controversial figures in mixed martial arts history, has officially announced his retirement from the UFC. The decision comes just hours after UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the news publicly, signaling the end of an era. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While fans and fighters alike took to social media to reflect on the legacy of 'Bones,' the retirement news was almost immediately followed by reports of yet another legal issue tied to the former champion, casting a shadow over what should have been a celebratory farewell. Jon Jones exits UFC with emotional farewell as new legal storm brews in the background In a lengthy and reflective statement shared on X, Jon Jones wrote, 'Today, I'm officially announcing my retirement from the UFC. This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I've experienced over the years.' The message was packed with appreciation for those who supported him, from family and teammates to UFC leadership and fans worldwide. He recounted a career filled with historic highs and personal lows, 'From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history... these are memories I'll cherish forever.' Jones continued, 'I want to thank the UFC, Dana, Hunter, Lorenzo, God, my family, coaches, teammates, and all the fans who have stood by me through every chapter.' He closed his post with an optimistic outlook, sharing, 'As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead… The best is yet to come.' In a follow-up post, the 37-year-old added, 'I'm completely overwhelmed right now, I love you guys so much. Thank you.' While Jones' words struck a sincere emotional chord with many, news soon broke via the Albuquerque Journal that he had been issued a criminal summons for allegedly fleeing the scene of an accident back in February. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to reports, a woman, who appeared intoxicated and partially unclothed, claimed Jones was the driver and had fled the crash site on foot. When contacted, the man believed to be Jones allegedly made veiled threats and appeared heavily intoxicated. This development has once again connected Jones' name with controversy. He is due in court on July 24 for a bond arraignment. Also Read: Still, from his UFC debut in 2008 at just 21 years old to capturing both Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight titles, Jones' athletic resume has been unparalleled. His final fight came at UFC 309 in November 2024, where he successfully defended the Heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
NM Gov declares state of emergency for ongoing drought, fire risk
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, pictured during a March news conference, announced Thursday she issued a state of emergency due to ongoing drought in New Mexico. She also called on counties to ban fireworks. (Eddie Moore / Albuquerque Journal) New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is urging counties across the state to ban fireworks and has ordered a task force to come up with short-term emergency measures to address the ongoing drought and mounting wildfire risk, her office announced on Wednesday. The governor issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency last Thursday, which unlocks funds to help address the drought. It also directed the New Mexico Drought Task Force to meet, which it did Wednesday, to come up with ways to coordinate response efforts across more than 10 state agencies, according to a news release. New Mexico is currently experiencing some of the worst drought conditions ever recorded amid long-term predictions that the state could lose 25% of its water supply over the next 50 years. Snowpack, particularly in the southwestern part of the state, is at record lows, and about 87% of the state is experiencing drought conditions. Meanwhile, local, state, federal and tribal governments across New Mexico have imposed various levels of wildfire restrictions, citing the ongoing wildfire risk. A New Mexico State Forestry website compilation of those restrictions lists 38 jurisdictions that ban fireworks, campfires or impose other measures. 'It's bad': How drought, lack of snowpack and federal cuts could spell wildfire disaster in NM 'Despite some spring precipitation, almost all of New Mexico remains in conditions that threaten water supplies and elevate fire danger,' Lujan Grisham said in a news release. 'The State Forester has enacted fire restrictions for high-risk areas, but we can't stop there. This executive order ensures that we act decisively to conserve water and lessen our exposure to wildfire risk.' In its Wednesday meeting, the Drought Task Force, led by New Mexico State Engineer Elizabeth Anderson, began coming up with a list of short-term measures to reduce fire risk and help those affected by the drought, which it needs to have in place by July 31, according to the governor's office. The task force also is tasked with compiling and sharing emergency and other funding sources to help families and governments respond to the drought. 'New Mexico's river basins have seen below average precipitation this year, and our reservoir levels are among the lowest on record,' Anderson said in a news release. 'These conditions clearly justify emergency action.' As July 4 approaches, the governor wrote that she urges 'New Mexico's counties, municipalities and local governments to consider implementing firework bans pursuant to the Fireworks Safety and Licensing Act…as well as any other appropriate fire prevention measures that they may legally enact.'
