Santa Fe –
At ABQ RAW, we do not get into politics, our President and office dog Lalo, advises us to stay away from that topic at all costs. That being said, it is time to address the large public safety issue in the room and the failure of certain politicians to do anything in the 2025 Legislative Session when it came to violent juvenile crime.
The New Mexico Legislature is in the waning days of a 60-day session, and with a session that long, it means anything is on the table. Lawmakers for the past several months promised they would tackle critical crime bills in this legislation. Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham even tried to have a 2024 special session in the summer. Certain lawmakers had the power to make the session nothing but a silly field trip for lawmakers to Santa Fe. No advancements for public safety happened.
Leading up to the 2025 Legislative session, many law enforcement professionals and citizens wanted the 1970s New Mexico juvenile justice code updated to current times. Currently, if a juvenile goes on a felony adult crime spree the “hito” or “hita” will get out of jail by their 18th birthday.
In 2019, Anthony Williams was charged as a 17-year-old in a triple homicide that happened in Valencia County. Authorities allege Williams kicked in the door of a home in El Cerro, south of Albuquerque, and fatally shot three men with a shotgun. In a plea deal, which outraged the victim’s families, Williams entered a plea of no contest on three counts of voluntary manslaughter. Since he was a minor when the crime was committed, he was released upon turning 21. If he was charged and convicted as an adult he would have faced 30 years per conviction. In 2025, Williams shot at Albuquerque Police in an apartment complex. One APD sergeant was wounded by Williams and he was shot dead.
House Bill 134 was introduced and it was one of the more comprehensive and modern approaches to deal with juveniles who commit heinous acts against society. This bill was sponsored by two Democrats, state representatives Cynthia Borrego and Art De La Cruz, and two Republicans, state representatives Nicole Chavez and Andrea Reeb. Specifically, the bill sought to amend Section 32A-2-3 of the New Mexico Statutes to redefine “youthful offender” to include individuals aged fourteen and older who are adjudicated for first-degree murder.
This amendment would have allowed for greater flexibility in sentencing options for juveniles convicted of such serious crimes. The bill also had the support of Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.
The only downside of the bill was that it did NOT include provisions to make juvenile charges public records. Therefore, under HB 134, the confidentiality of juvenile records would have remained unchanged.
We have been to numerous homicide scenes and violent crime sprees to see it was often times minors who were the criminals. The law enforcement agency arrests them, and then we see the suspect walked to the police unit. We catch a glimpse of their face and demeanor. Like a magic act their booking mugs and criminal complaints goes into a mysterious black hole of secrecy. The public does not deserve this type of darkness when it comes to public records involving these type of violent crimes.
On March 6th, 2025, House Bill 134 died in committee on a party line vote. The New Mexico House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee (CPAC) was where it died. It comprised of the following members:
- Representative Joanne J. Ferrary (District 37, Democrat) – Chair
- Representative Angelica Rubio (District 35, Democrat) – Vice Chair
- Representative John Block (District 51, Republican) – Member
- Representative Stefani Lord (District 22, Republican) – Member
- Representative Andrea Romero (District 46, Democrat) – Member
- Representative Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (District 24, Democrat) – Member
The bill was tabled on a 4-2 party-line vote. Representatives Ferrary, Rubio, Romero, and Thomson voted to kill the measure, effectively ending any hope of updating juvenile crime laws in 2025.
New Mexicans are being killed and maimed by teenagers who face no serious consequences. Lawmakers who endorse this hands-off approach to youth crime are complicit in these offenses.
House Speaker Javier Martinez (D) and Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (D) should demonstrate better leadership instead of putting innocent citizens at risk. Despite their combined 30+ years in the Legislature, no meaningful crime bills have been passed; instead, such legislation is often delayed or dies in committees.
As previously reported, the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center is nearing capacity. Currently, the Youth Services Center (YSC) houses 57 male juveniles and five females, reaching its maximum limit. The facility’s total capacity is 78 beds. In 2024, the average daily population was 54, with resident stays ranging from two to 1,098 days.
“We are experiencing a crisis among our youth, and unfortunately, this is not just a Bernalillo County issue. Similar situations are occurring statewide, with only four juvenile detention facilities and about 200 beds,” said Bernalillo Deputy County Manager of Public Safety Greg Perez.
To address staffing shortages, YSC is actively recruiting for positions such as Youth Program Officer I and II (a hiring flyer is included at the bottom of the article). These roles involve maintaining security and discipline within the facility to ensure the safety of residents, staff, and the community. New hires receive benefits including medical insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans, along with a $5,000 sign-on bonus upon successful completion of a nine-month probationary period.
Representatives Romero, Ferrary, Rubio, Thomson, House Speaker Martinez, Senate President Pro Tempore Stewart, and any other lawmakers who accept the status quo should consider picking up shifts at their respective county juvenile detention centers. Then, they would see firsthand how violent these juvenile offenders can be.
Perhaps the $5,000 sign-on bonus could help fund their re-election campaign signs, reading: TOUGH ON JUVENILE CRIME.
This editorial appears on ABQRAW’s social media sites and website. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the news site rather than any specific writers.
ABQRAW welcomes all opinions, and anyone can submit their content for posting in our opinion section. Send your opinion, 500 words or less, to info@abqraw.com
This is so unfortunate. Our state is in a crisis with the youth crime! Amongst everything else we are to endure.
Thumbs down to our legislators who live among us do not feel the need to update our laws. There needs to be consequences especially for these violent acts!
Leftists are vermin. Civilized people must exterminate vermin to preserve civilization.
End of lesson.
Come try it, we aren’t all unarmed and I’m looking forward to it.
Remember those words as you’re bleeding out, unloved and unmissed by anyone who matters.
Definitely bring that overconfidence with you. It’ll make taking the shot easier.
You clearly do not realize just how many productive, conservative and simply BETTER examples of the species are ready and eager to wipe Leftist infestation from OUR city, state and country.
Talk about overconfidence…
Bring it on then, if you’re so sure of your advantage. BI’ll be happy to pop that inflated head of yours. We both know you don’t have the balls to back up your anonymous Internet tough talk though.
People like you love to talk a big game on the Internet where they won’t have to back anything up, but they always end up being total cowards when shooting actually starts. I’m sure you’re really good at punching holes in paper just like I’m also sure you don’t have the spine to turn your impotent anger into action. But if you do, you’re gonna find out the hard way that you aren’t the only ones with guns. I’d say it’ll be embarrassing, but you won’t even know what happened.
And you deserve no consideration or treatment by me as “people” at all.
As vividly demonstrated by the six examples showcased above, Leftists have consistently revealed yourselves to be nothing but mouthy, falsely righteous vermin that only serve to empower and embolden other similarly wretched societal filth.
Better citizens have tolerated your infestation long enough. The only reason you still draw breath is because we’ve allowed you to do so. That ends soon.
You keep talking, but we both know your bitch ass will never pull a trigger. But if you grow a pair, I’ll still be here and we can sort this out like the man you pretend to be on the internet. Until then, you might as well be an edgy 14 year old that comments here so nobody knows your balls haven’t dropped yet. Come back when you’re ready to actually do something, coward.
Big talk from a subhuman waste of air and space. It clearly never even occurred within your little rat brain to reconsider and repent for the grievous error of your verminous, traitorous Leftist ways.
That’s why Better citizens will have fun eradicating you.
I’m not worried about some lardass with a trump flag on his F250 that’s one cheeseburger away from saving me from having to clean my .45 when I’m done. Start shooting or finish yourself off with heart disease and beer. Makes no difference to me. I’ll be ready either way. But I have a feeling you’ll still be here trying to psych yourself up for something you’ll always be too afraid to do. You may talk like a Nazi on the internet, but you’re too afraid to do anything in the light of day, so you’ll die irrelevant. Prove me wrong by backing up your words instead of more Nazi role-playing here. I’m done responding to you unless it’s in person.
It’s quite discriminatory to include the Spanish words “hito” and “hita” in your opinion piece, alluding to the problem being due to juveniles with a Hispanic ethnicity.
Facts hurt, honeycunt?
You must not be firm here… it’s not implying anything about race lol it’s because in NM when a juvenile gets arrested for a crime the grandma or mom always says “but my hito is such a good boy”
Politics aside, that Representative Angelica Rubio is definitely coyote ugly lol. Ain’t saying….
Why do these appointed people not feel the need to protect the public? This obviously shows that a paycheck is more important to some people than helping society . . . So sad
They’re Leftists, not “people.”
Well said?
Disregard the question mark. My blood is boiling.
Its because nobody holds them accountable. The retards in this city with their blue hair and one inch holes in their earlobes are convinced these assholes are making a difference to further their own leftist gains. The biggest piece of shit on that list is Javier Martinez. He has the downtown and UNM area. He can do whatever the fuck he wants and the blue haired transgender faggots with their rot pockets will keep voting for this asshole no matter what.
Can this be shared ?
I agree completely on this BS.
These same do nothing legislators want the voters to give them a salary on the November ballot. The inaction on juvenile crime alone justifies a no vote.
Thank you for that information!
We definitely need new leadership in this State, unfortunately nothing ever changes and crime gets worse and worse!! Hopefully this will help to wake people up!!
Instead they pass HB255 that will give these useless juvenile offenders $2000.00 a month who are convinced of violent crimes. It’s a sewer here!!!!
Of course, it’s Northern Mexico. Tomorrow Land, is Numero Uno in Crime!! “Don’t scold Mijo!”
I ask women and two nurses once, why they are with loser men, who won’t work, repeat felon, drug addict or in live in their mothers garage. You want to know what they said? “It’s the New Mexico way.” One told me why the loser men won’t work- “It’s cultural.”
The governess stated several weeks ago that she CAN’T DO ANYTHING about the crime! This is outrageous! I wrote a letter to President Trump, (thank God he’s back to save our country!) and ratted her out. I told him she must be removed immediately and I suggest everyone reading this do the same! This corrupt government must be investigated and stopped! To Melanie Stansbury: THIS isn’t NORMAL!
Our beautiful state is being run down by psychopaths! They are killing us! Please, get deeper into politics you guys! We need as many sane voices as possible!!!!!
New Mexico was just named the MOST DANGEROUS STATE in the Union! My God!
I was thinking they should repurpose the old Santa Fe Prison into a Homeless Hotel but now I believe they should just reopen it for the ‘under-aged’ criminals. Or build a new prison!
PLEASE, everyone, send this information to President Trump. A President can remove a governor!
The states have too many rights! This is a national security issue! The government exists to keep us safe. Jesus Christ!
You think orangeman gives a sh….t? This is a local level problem and fix. We are a poor state, primarily Democrat , I don’t know why they didn’t approve this, but I am sure it is because of budget ( money ) if ALL facilities are full or beyond capacity.
Yes, Jonathan. President Trump DOES give a shit! He practically lost his very LIFE trying to SAVE OUR COUNTRY! This state has enough money to build 50 prisons! Wake up!
Perhaps, Jonathan, President Trump should rename the country THE DVIDED STATES OF AMERICA?!
[…] At ABQ RAW, we do not get into politics, our President and office dog Lalo, advises us to stay away from that topic at all costs. That being said, it is time to address the large public safety issue in the room and the failure of certain politicians to do anything in the 2025 Legislative Session when it came to violent juvenile crime. More Here […]
I understand that juvenile crime is up, and it is really scary, but we need to find out why these juveniles are doing such horrific crimes. Get to the core of the problem. Also, I know many horrible things happened at Desert Hills, but it has been vacate for years. Maybe we need to look into opening it up again, but with better staffing.
It is not the responsibility of the civilized to understand feral vermin. We must only kill it.
Are you only a Nazi here in the comments where you can be safe and anonymous? Or do you wear your armband in public too? Either way, there’s only one way to deal with people like you and I don’t think you’re gonna like it.
It’s exterminator, btw. Exterminationist isn’t a word. You must be a product of ABQ public schools.
“Eliminationist” is the more familiar term, but eliminationism encompasses non-violent means of purging undesirable elements from civilization. I advocate solely for the extermination of vermin, not censoring it or locking it away.
As for being a “Nazi,” well… Let’s just say I appreciate good ideas from all sides, as do many now in power in this country.
Perhaps you should mind your manners rather than pissing us off.
Nah, there’s only one way to deal with Nazis, and it doesn’t involve being polite. That’s something we used to understand in this country before we elected cowards and traitors that thought of them as “very fine people”. Some of us still know how to deal with people like you though.
Ann Williams, The Core of the problem is no consequences for repeat offenders. There is no accountability.
The one looks like Herman Munster wearing a cheap wig
A child facing 30 years is just ridiculous, you can rehabilitate them in less time , not saying no consequences, but 30!years that is their whole life! They need help! Not prison!! Long term!
Great Editorial by the way. Thanks for sharing this