Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman

Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman We welcome your comments. Comments are monitored. Content posted or submitted for posting is subject to public disclosure.

We reserve the right to remove obscenities, off-topic comments, personal attacks, and anyone disruptive to our page. This page is run by the Communications Team at the Second Judicial District Attorney's Office. Find our Social Media Policy here: https://berncoda.com/social-media-policy/

Thank you to the Kiwanis Club for hosting a great community discussion!Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman w...
06/01/2026

Thank you to the Kiwanis Club for hosting a great community discussion!
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman was the guest speaker and shared an update on public safety. He noted that overall crime trends are decreasing, with the exception of juvenile crime, and highlighted that the Juvenile Laws have not been updated in more than three decades.
Bregman also discussed efforts to strengthen prosecutions, expand diversion programs, and address root causes of crime. Since taking office in 2023, Bregman has hired 80 attorneys to help manage rising caseloads and improve outcomes in court.
The Kiwanis Club is a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and communities. They also honored an APD Officer for his outstanding work in the community.

SIXTH TEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH HOMICIDE NEAR OLD TOWN -- Today, a judge ordered a sixth suspect detained in conn...
06/01/2026

SIXTH TEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH HOMICIDE NEAR OLD TOWN --
Today, a judge ordered a sixth suspect detained in connection with the May 18, 2025 homicide of 19-year-old Luis Ortiz near Old Town.
Police say 19-year-old Alonzo Cuarenta was involved in the robbery and fatal shooting. Investigators believe Ortiz met a group of teens to sell them alcohol when they fired multiple shots at him. Ortiz later crashed his vehicle near 23rd Street NW, and authorities say his pistol and the alcohol were stolen. Six teens have now been charged in the case.

17-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH MURDER WILL REMAIN IN CUSTODY —The suspect was 16 years old at the time of the crime and is acc...
05/29/2026

17-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH MURDER WILL REMAIN IN CUSTODY —
The suspect was 16 years old at the time of the crime and is accused of taking part in the robbery and murder of Luis Ortiz.
Background
The crime happened on May 18, 2025. Investigators say a group of teens met Ortiz in a parking lot near Old Town, where they had planned to buy alcohol from him. During the encounter, multiple shots were fired at Ortiz.
Police say Ortiz drove away from the scene before crashing his car near 23rd Street NW. Investigators believe the teens initially fled the area, then later returned to the crash site. Officers recovered additional shell casings at the scene.
Authorities say Ortiz was also robbed of his pistol and the alcohol.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office plans to charge the teen as an adult. Under New Mexico law, our office is not allowed to release juvenile suspects’ mugshots. Six teens have been charged in connection with this case. 

Man Convicted of Shooting Victim Multiple Times Sentenced to Life in Prison -Today, a judge sentenced Samuel Jimenez Per...
05/28/2026

Man Convicted of Shooting Victim Multiple Times Sentenced to Life in Prison -
Today, a judge sentenced Samuel Jimenez Perez to Life in Prison in the New Mexico Corrections Department.
In February, a jury convicted him of First-Degree murder for the shooting death of Rosendo Martinez.
September 2024, Jimenez Perez went to Martinez’s home at approximately 5:45 in the morning, prepared for violence. He was wearing a bulletproof vest and armed with a semi-automatic handgun. Martinez was shot seven times in a barrage of gunfire that claimed his life. Investigators recovered 25 spent bullet casings at the scene.
Under New Mexico law, a life sentence for First-Degree Murder means Jimenez Perez will not be eligible for parole for at least 30 years.

MAN CONVICTED OF SHOOTING WOMAN IN THE HEAD SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISONA man convicted of shooting a woman in the head a...
05/28/2026

MAN CONVICTED OF SHOOTING WOMAN IN THE HEAD SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
A man convicted of shooting a woman in the head at a Southeast Albuquerque apartment complex has been sentenced to life in prison.
In April, a jury convicted Houston Coate of First-Degree Murder for the fatal shooting of Barbara Chavez on August 29, 2024.
The shooting happened in the 1000 block of Valencia Drive SE. Coate went to the apartment, knocked on the door, and demanded his belongings. When the situation escalated, he fired several shots into the apartment, striking Chavez in the head and killing her.
Under New Mexico law, a life sentence for First-Degree Murder means Coate will not be eligible for parole for at least 30 years.

MAN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH FATAL CRASH INVOLVING BCSO SERGEANT -- Miguel Orlando Perez has been charged in connectio...
05/28/2026

MAN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH FATAL CRASH INVOLVING BCSO SERGEANT --
Miguel Orlando Perez has been charged in connection with the February 23, 2026 crash that killed Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Michael Schlattman on Interstate 40 near the Carnuel exit.
Perez is charged with Careless Driving and Operation of Vehicle on Approach of Emergency Vehicle.
The Rio Rancho Police Department investigation found Sgt. Schlattman had completed a traffic stop in the westbound lanes of I-40 and was returning to his patrol vehicle when it was struck from behind by a semi-truck driven by Perez. The impact pushed the patrol unit into Sgt. Schlattman, causing fatal injuries.
Investigators determined the semi-truck was traveling approximately 64 mph at the time of the crash and that no brakes were applied before impact. The investigation also found no mechanical issues with either the semi-truck or Sgt. Schlattman’s patrol vehicle. Contributing factors identified by investigators included sun glare, the position of the patrol vehicle, and driver inattention.
Perez holds a valid Florida Class A commercial driver’s license. The case was investigated by the Rio Rancho Police Department and later submitted to the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review and charging consideration.
Perez is due in court next month.

WELCOME INTERNS! 👏⚖️The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office and District Attorney Sam Bregman are proud to welc...
05/27/2026

WELCOME INTERNS! 👏⚖️
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office and District Attorney Sam Bregman are proud to welcome 14 interns to our office this summer!
Our interns come from the University of New Mexico School of Law, the University of New Mexico, local high schools, and even as far away as New Hampshire.
Today, the interns had a chance to sit down and chat with DA Bregman, who asked them about their future goals and aspirations and what inspired them to pursue this opportunity. After the conversation, we took photos together to mark the start of the summer program.
They’ll be learning more about the criminal justice system and criminal law while helping serve our community throughout the summer. We’re excited to have them on the team.
Welcome! 🎉

TEEN SENTENCED TO MAXIMUM PENALTY UNDER NEW MEXICO LAW FOR TWO ALBUQUERQUE MURDERS -This morning, a judge sentenced Andr...
05/26/2026

TEEN SENTENCED TO MAXIMUM PENALTY UNDER NEW MEXICO LAW FOR TWO ALBUQUERQUE MURDERS -

This morning, a judge sentenced Andres Herrera to 40 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department for two separate homicides he committed when he was 16 years old. Herrera was a juvenile at the time of the murders, but he was prosecuted and sentenced as an adult.

In July 2025, Herrera entered no contest pleas to two counts of First-Degree Murder in connection with the deaths of Phillip Apodaca and Damion Alday.

BACKGROUND:
October 6, 2023 – Murder of Phillip Apodaca
Phillip Apodaca was fatally shot outside Resource Brewing Co. in Albuquerque after being struck multiple times in the back. Investigators connected Herrera to the homicide through surveillance evidence, including the clothing he wore and the vehicle he was driving at the time.

December 27, 2023 – Murder of Damion Alday
Nineteen-year-old Damion Alday was shot and killed at Sundoro Park in northwest Albuquerque. Surveillance footage captured Herrera firing at Alday at close range. Herrera later posted statements on social media bragging about approaching Alday and shooting him multiple times in the head.

Because of the severity of the crimes, Herrera was charged as an adult under New Mexico law and ultimately received the maximum sentence allowed.

On behalf of the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made th...
05/25/2026

On behalf of the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. This Memorial Day, we thank you for your service, courage, and selfless dedication. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. 🇺🇸

FORMER CHURCH PASTOR CONVICTED OF R**E- Late this afternoon, a jury convicted former church pastor Andrew Miller of Crim...
05/22/2026

FORMER CHURCH PASTOR CONVICTED OF R**E-

Late this afternoon, a jury convicted former church pastor Andrew Miller of Criminal Sexual Pe*******on Resulting in Personal Injury.

Miller used false pretenses, including posing as a reality show producer connected to New Hope Church, to gain access to the victim. He then sexually assaulted her.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Lisa Roybal and Senior Trial Attorney Crystal Cabrido.

The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office thanks the victim for her courage throughout the investigation and trial process.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

Address

520 Lomas NW
Albuquerque, NM
87102

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15052221099

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category