Albuquerque –
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office is committed to the pursuit of justice. The week of September 29, 2025, there are five jury trials taking place in Bernalillo County.
Mariana Gomez-Salinas
Case Number: D-202-CR-2024-01967
- First Degree Murder (Willful & Deliberate)
- Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder (Willful & Deliberate)
- Kidnapping (First Degree) (NO Intent to Commit Sex Offense)
- Armed Robbery
- Tampering with Evidence (Highest Crime a Capital, First or Second Degree Felony)
- Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with Evidence (Capital Crime or 1st or 2nd Degree Felony)
- Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon)
The jury trial in the case of State of New Mexico v. Mariana Gomez-Salinas , presided over by Judge Joseph A. Montano, is scheduled to take place at 8:30 AM on September 29, 30, and October 1 and 2, 2025, in Courtroom 338.
Gomez-Salinas was one of three suspects arrested and charged for the kidnapping, robbery and murder of 16-year-old Jesus Quintana Cota.
Earlier this month, Domink Marquez pleaded guilty to his involvement in the murder. As a result, he is now facing a prison sentence ranging from 12 to 22 years.
Zachary C Padilla
Case Number: D-202-CR-2024-02654
- Felony Sexual Offenses
Judge Emeterio L. Rudolfo will preside over the jury trial in the case of State of New Mexico v. Zachary C. Padilla (Case No. D-202-CR-2024-02654), scheduled to begin at 8:30 AM on September 29, 2025, in Courtroom 420.
Heather Lynn Lopez
Case Number: D-202-CR-2024-03620
- Aggravated Battery (Great Bodily Harm)
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident (No Great Bodily Harm or Death)
The jury trial in the case of State of New Mexico v. Heather Lynn Lopez (Case No. D-202-CR-2024-03620), presided over by Judge Matthew E. Chavez, is scheduled for 8:30 AM on September 29, 2025, in Courtroom 406.
Steven Maldonado
Case Number: D-202-CR-2025-00191
- Trafficking Controlled Substances (Possess with Intent to Distribute)(Narcotic or Meth)(1st Off.)
- Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking (by Distribution)(Narcotic or Meth)
- Trafficking Controlled Substances (Possess with Intent to Distribute)(Narcotic or Meth)(1st Off.)
- Trafficking Controlled Substances (Possess with Intent to Distribute)(Narcotic or Meth)(1st Off.)
Judge Courtney B. Weaks will preside over the jury trial in the case of State of New Mexico v. Steven Maldonado (Case No. D-202-CR-2025-00191), scheduled to take place in Courtroom 416 on September 29, 2025, at 8:45 AM; September 30, 2025, at 9:00 AM; and October 1, 2025, at 1:30 PM.
Eliazar Zarate-Hernandez
Case Number: D-202-CR-2025-00236
- Shooting at Dwelling or Occupied Building (No Great Bodily Harm)
- Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm)
The jury trial in the case of State of New Mexico v. Eliazar Zarate-Hernandez (Case No. D-202-CR-2025-00236), presided over by Judge Jennifer J. Wernersbach in Courtroom 706, is scheduled for September 29 and 30, 2025, at 9:00 AM each day.
Courts presume that the defendant is innocent unless and until the prosecution secures a conviction through due process.
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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