Albuquerque –
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to pursuing justice, and starting March 9, 2026, six new jury trials will be taking place in Bernalillo County.
Case Number: D-202-CR-2021-01400
- Criminal Sexual Penetration in the Second Degree (Child 13-18) (Force or Coercion) x3
- Manufacturing Visual Medium of Sexual Exploitation of Children
- Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) x2
- Bribery of a Witness (Threats or Bribes – Reporting) x2
On March 9, 2026, at 8:30 AM, a jury trial was held in Courtroom 420 in Albuquerque for case number D-202-CR-2021-01400, State of New Mexico v. Alberto Villanueva Caprio, presided over by Judge Cindy Leos.
A jury found Alberto Carpio-Villanueva guilty of 8 crimes, including three counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration of a Minor, one Count of Child Exploitation (manufacturing), two counts of Child Abuse, and two counts of Intimidation of a Witness.
The victim was brought to New Mexico from Honduras when she was just 15 years old. Villanueva pretended to be her uncle, then raped her repeatedly from April 2021 until June 2021.
The case was prosecuted by Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, who heads the Special Victims Unit for the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, and Senior Trial Attorney Sarah Burton.
In a statement Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said “This office will continue to be relentless when it comes to standing up for survivors and victims.”
Carpio-Villanueva faces a potential sentence of up to 69 years in prison for his crimes.
Carlos Torrez
Case Number: D-202-CR-2024-00411
- Kidnapping (First Degree) (NO Intent to Commit Sex Offense)
- Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon)
- Receipt, Transportation or Possession of a Firearm or Destructive Device by a Felon
- Shooting at Dwelling or Occupied Building (No Great Bodily Harm)
- Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon)
- Tampering with Evidence (Highest Crime a Capital, First or Second Degree Felony)
On March 10, 2026, at 1:30 PM, Judge Cindy Leos will preside over the jury trial in Courtroom 420 for case number D-202-CR-2024-00411, State of New Mexico v. Carlos Torrez.
Case Number: D-202-CR-2024-03219
- Reckless Abuse of a Child (Results in Death)
- Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm)
- Receipt, Transportation or Possession of a Firearm or Destructive Device by a Felon
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony)
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (PA)
- Trafficking Controlled Substances (Possess with Intent to Distribute)(Narcotic or Meth)(1st Off.)
On March 9, 2026, at 8:30 AM, a jury trial was held in Courtroom 620 for case number D-202-CR-2024-03219, State of New Mexico v. Lawrence Johnny Gabaldon, presided over by Judge Brett R. Loveless.
Case Number: D-202-CR-2025-01208
- Criminal Sexual Penetration in the Second Degree (Results in Personal Injury) x2
- Criminal Sexual Penetration in the Third Degree x9
- Aggravated Battery (Great Bodily Harm)
- Bribery of a Witness (Threats or Bribes – Reporting)
- Criminal Sexual Contact (Misdemeanor)
- Aggravated Battery (Misdemeanor)(No Great Bodily Harm)
- Criminal Sexual Penetration in the Second Degree (Results in Personal Injury) x5
From March 9 to March 13, 2026, at 8:30 AM, Judge Clara Moran presided over the jury trial for case number D-202-CR-2025-01208, State of New Mexico v. Jesse Jr Sedillo, beginning in Courtroom 416 on March 9 and continuing in Courtroom 402 from March 10 through March 13.
Maribel Crystal Bejarano
Case Number: D-202-CR-2025-02687
- False Imprisonment
From March 9 to March 11, 2026, at 8:30 AM, a jury trial for case number D-202-CR-2025-02687, State of New Mexico v. Maribel Crystal Bejarano, was held before Judge Matthew E. Chavez in Courtroom 406.
Case Number: D-202-CR-2024-02136
- Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) x4
- Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor (Child Under 13) x2
- Bribery of a Witness (Threats or Bribes – Reporting) x3
- Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor x3
- Criminal Sexual Penetration in the First Degree (Child Under 13) x9
- Interference with Communications
On March 10, 2026, at 9:00 AM, Judge Jennifer J. Wernersbach presided over the jury trial in Courtroom 338 for case number D-202-CR-2024-02136, State of New Mexico v. Dylan Ramon Sanchez.
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. 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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