Law enforcement staffing crisis in SENM Christina Holt/News-Sun The Hobbs Police Department has a 33 percent vacancy rate for certified officers. But where does this stand in comparison in the region of southeastern New Mexico? The challenge of recruiting officers is not just a local issue but one that is felt throughout the nation. In a nationwide survey, 70 percent …

Jury finds Rey Ruiz guilty in 2023 Walmart shooting Caleb A. Gallegos/News-Sun After deliberating for a short time Thursday, a Lea County jury found Rey Ochoa Ruiz guilty of second-degree murder and attempt to commit armed robbery in the murder of then 24-year-old Jordan Ruiz. Rey Ruiz was charged in Fifth Judicial District Court with first-degree murder and attempt to …

Officers in vehicle crash were headed to call for suspect with a gun Caleb A. Gallegos/News-Sun After being recognized by Hobbs Police officers for an outstanding warrant, a Hobbs man led HPD officers on a foot chase with a gun and allegedly pointed the gun at officers in the process of being detained. That foot chase and gun triggered a …

Estrada takes plea agreement in nude video scandal Charges dismissed for other defendants Christina Holt/News-Sun LOVINGTON — A deputy with the Lea County Sheriff’s Office who’s currently on administrative leave took the fall Wednesday for the three other law enforcement officers accused of sending a nude video of a fellow deputy to other law enforcement officers. Sonia Estrada entered into …

Teens arrested for high speed chase and guns charges Caleb A. Gallegos/News-Sun Hobbs teens were arrested Saturday after leading Lea County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a high speed chase in a stolen vehicle reportedly going 111 mph, then allegedly disposing of a stolen gun later found and used by a 5-year-old child. A 15-year-old male was arrested July 6, and …

Teens arrested for high speed chase and guns charges Caleb A. Gallegos/News-Sun Hobbs teens were arrested Saturday after leading Lea County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a high speed chase in a stolen vehicle reportedly going 111 mph, then allegedly disposing of a stolen gun later found and used by a 5-year-old child. A 15-year-old male was arrested July 6, and …

NRA files legal challenge to New Mexico waiting period law News-Sun Staff Report The National Rifle Association has filed a lawsuit in federal district court in New Mexico, challenging the state’s new seven-day waiting period law for firearm purchases that went into effect Wednesday. The lawsuit, Ortega v. Grisham, was filed in collaboration with the Mountain States Legal Foundation. New …

  Steven Nave received 18 years for second-degree murder Caleb A. Gallegos/News-Sun Steven Nave was sentenced to 18 years in prison with two years of parole for the murder of Clinton Holladay on July 21, 2021, in the Fifth Judicial District Court by District Judge Efren Cortez on Thursday. Nave, 42, of Lovington, pleaded guilty to the murder of Holladay after …

5,500 fentanyl pills lands Hobbs man in jail News-Sun Staff Report A Hobbs man is behind bars after a tip led Lea County Drug Task Force agents to investigate him for trafficking Fentanyl pills into Hobbs from Albuquerque. On Feb. 7, task force agents were reportedly informed by a confidential informant that Hobbs resident Poetry Royal, 53, was transporting thousands …

Supreme Court rejects appeal by former New Mexico county commissioner banned for Jan. 6 insurrection By MORGAN LEE, NICHOLAS RICCARDI and MARK SHERMAN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from a former New Mexico county commissioner who was kicked out of office over his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the …