Albuquerque, NM – Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas secured the preventative detention of Mario Morales, a man accused of human trafficking, kidnapping, criminal sexual penetration, false imprisonment and more. The New Mexico Office of the Attorney General successfully extradited Morales, following his arrest in Arizona last month. Following the NMOAG’s preventative detention motion in November, Morales was indicted on more 15 charges, 14 of them felonies.
Santa Fe, NM - Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas successfully secured the conviction of Gary Gregor, former teacher in the Española School District, for his sexual assault of multiple 4th grade students during the 2007-2008 school year at Fairview Elementary School. A jury of Gregor’s peers found him guilty of 3 counts of 1st-Degree Felony Criminal Sexual Penetration, 5 counts of 1st-Degree Kidnapping, and 4 counts of 1st-Degree Criminal Sexual Contact.
Albuquerque, NM - Today, Attorney General Balderas announced that after investigating numerous complaints to the Office of the Attorney General and demanding that the U.S. Department of Education evaluate its conversion of thousands of TEACH Grants to Direct Unsubsidized Loans, the Department is finalizing a process that will provide an opportunity for certain TEACH Grant recipients whose TEACH Grants were converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans to request reconsideration of the conversions.
Albuquerque, NM - Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring co-authored comments to a proposed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule change that violates federal law and will result in unfair discrimination against underserved immigrant families. The so called "public charge" rule change will allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to determine whether immigrant families who seek lawful status in the United States may need any form of government assistance, and if so, allow ICE to deny their application.
Albuquerque, NM - Please see the below statement from the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General, attributable to David Carl, Press Secretary, regarding today’s decision at the New Mexico Racing Commission:
"We will continue to work with the racing commission as they resolve the threat of pending litigation to ensure integrity in their awarding of the state’s sixth racing license.”
Albuquerque, NM – Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that Leanne Bennett was sentenced to one and a half years in the department of corrections for stealing from elderly patients who suffered from dementia. The Office of the Attorney General secured 11 felony convictions against Bennett for stealing more than $30,000 from elderly residents while working as an office manager at the Rehabilitation Center of Albuquerque between 2012 and 2013. Bennett was sentenced by Judge Charles Brown to one and a half years after the State argued for three years in the Department of Corrections.
Albuquerque, NM - Please see the below statement from New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas:
“Last night, America lost a true patriot.George H. W. Bush served his nation as president, vice-president, ambassador and CIA Chief, and was an unwavering example of a leader whose tone of civility and unity made our nation stronger. I have had the opportunity to serve with George P. Bush, working on bipartisan issues impacting our nation. My heart goes out to George and the entire Bush family in this trying time.”
Albuquerque, NM – Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced the successful disbursement of more than $60,000 to New Mexico Legal Aid. The funding is the result of unclaimed funds payed by a defendant in a recently concluded case...
Albuquerque, NM – Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced the successful prosecution of Francisco Saucedo, for charges related to sexual exploitation of children. The New Mexico Office of the Attorney General secured multiple convictions against Saucedo, ensuring that he will stay behind bars for up to 30 years.
Albuquerque, NM – The Constitution protects the rights of all New Mexicans and all Americans. Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas responds to President Trump’s proposal to scale back transgender rights in America: