Albuquerque –
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to pursuing justice, and starting August 3, 2026, three new jury trials will be taking place in Bernalillo County.
Case Number: D-202-CR-2024-01190
- First Degree Murder (Willful & Deliberate)
- Armed Robbery
- Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery
The jury trial in State of New Mexico v. Steven Armenta is scheduled to begin Monday, August 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM. before Judge Britt M. Baca in Courtroom 338.
The trial is scheduled to continue through the week with proceedings beginning at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, August 4, through Friday, August 7, if necessary.
According to the criminal complaint, APD homicide detectives compiled witness statements, evidence, and surveillance video, which determined that three males had a verbal confrontation with Nehemiah Lovato on October 25, 2020, before one of the men allegedly shot and killed him on the north side of the Valencia Court Apartments, located at 200 Valencia Dr. SE.
During the violent encounter, another individual, identified as Armenta, allegedly attempted to take Lovato’s backpack. A brief struggle over the bag followed, and a shot was fired, striking Lovato. Shortly after the shooting, APD officers arrived and determined that Lovato had died from his injuries.
Case Number: D-202-CR-2025-03023
- Aggravated Battery Against a Household Member (Deadly Weapon)
- Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon)
- Shooting At or From a Motor Vehicle (No Great Bodily Harm)
The trial begins this week for Silvan Blue Monarco, who is charged with Aggravated Battery Against a Household Member (Deadly Weapon), Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon), and Shooting At or From a Motor Vehicle (No Great Bodily Harm). The charges stem from an August 17, 2025 shooting in downtown Albuquerque in which prosecutors allege two people were shot following an argument involving the occupants of a vehicle.
According to court and booking records, Monarco was arrested in Albuquerque following the incident. At the time of his arrest, Monarco was a fugitive from Arizona, where he is wanted on probation violation charges for kidnapping (13-1304A3 (F2)), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (13-1204A2 (F3)), Tampering with Physical Evidence – Destroying or Altering (13-2809A1 (F6)) and Disorderly Conduct Involving a Weapon or Instrument (13-2904A6 (F6)).
Silvan Blue Monarco is scheduled to appear for a Change of Plea Hearing on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 8:30 AM before Judge Emeterio L. Rudolfo in Courtroom 402.
A jury trial in the case is also tentatively scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 8:30 AM, with the courtroom to be announced.
New Mexico court records also show there is a pending charge of Out of State Fugitive (D-202-ER-2025-00047). Court records in the Arizona probation violation case state that the Phoenix Police Department alleged Monarco failed to report to his supervising probation officer as directed on April 2, 2025, and May 1, 2025, resulting in a petition alleging he violated the terms of his probation. The Arizona fugitive complaint also alleges probation officers were unable to contact Monarco by phone or locate him at his reported Arizona residence.
Mario Lopez
Case Number: D-202-CR-2025-03831
- Aggravated DWI Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor/Drug (Refused Testing)(6th)
- Speeding (Over by 1-10)
Mario Lopez is scheduled to appear for a motion hearing on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM before Judge Clara Moran in Courtroom 402 at the Bernalillo County District Courthouse.
A jury trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 8:30 AM before Judge Moran in Courtroom 402. The trial is scheduled to resume on Thursday, August 6, and Friday, August 7. If necessary, proceedings will commence at 8:30 AM each day.
According to the criminal complaint, a deputy with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office stopped Mario Lopez on April 23, 2025, after allegedly observing him speeding on Fourth St near Ranchitos. During the stop per the complaint, the deputy reported signs of impairment and the odor of alcohol. Lopez later admitted to drinking three craft beers with dinner. After field sobriety tests, he was arrested on suspicion of DWI. The complaint asserts that Lopez refused to submit to a Breath Alcohol Test (BAT) after being advised under the state’s implied consent law and failed to provide the two required breath samples.
Courts presume that the defendant is innocent unless and until the prosecution secures a conviction through due process. This means the defendant remains legally not guilty unless the prosecution proves the charge beyond a reasonable doubt and a jury returns a verdict of guilty.
All charges mentioned are drawn from official New Mexico Courts/Odyssey filings for the listed cases. Charges may be dropped, amended, or declined to be prosecuted at the time of trial or as part of a plea agreement.
Booking photos and MDC links are included when available.
You can see the District Court schedule here:
https://seconddistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/court-dockets/bernalillo-county-district-court-docket/
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