The Sound of Silence

Last night I aired a report about pain and suffering and the absence of justice for New Mexico Veteran Nathan Gold. Gold served his country, but his hometown government failed to serve him.

Here's my take:

Silence among public officials often speaks volumes.

Such is the case with Guadalupe County Sheriff Robert Chavez. His nephew, Marty Madrid, caused the crash last summer that resulted in the loss of Nathan Gold's left leg.

Last night I reported how Madrid's citation was dismissed and how Sheriff Chavez refused to talk about why. After all, it was the Sheriff's deputy (David Salazar) that failed to prosecute the case by not showing up to court. As a result, the citation for "failing to maintain a lane" was dismissed. Justice failed Gold in this case, even if it was just a 60 dollar citation.

Gold deserves more, especially after serving in Iraq as a soldier for two tours. I didn't have time to explain this in my report, but Gold once put himself between enemy fire during an ambush so fellow soldiers could escape. He was awarded the Bronze Start with a "V" designation for Valor.

The Sheriff's refusal to be open about a public case is pathetic. The Sheriff disregards his duties as a public servant by hiding from questions. It's obvious he doesn't care open government.

Any public official, responsible for the prosecution of a case, has a duty to speak to the public, or at least, explain why they can't at a particular moment.

This was a story that upset me deeply. I felt for Gold. His life has been put on hold as he painfully recuperates from the crash. His physical challenges, not to mention his mental challenges of losing a limb, will be a heavy burden for the rest of his life.

At least give the guy some answers Sheriff Chavez. Explain why your deputy didn't show up to court to prosecute your nephew.

I also didn't mention during last night's report that Marty Madrid is the son of Andy Madrid, the Guadalupe County Manager. Because the county manager didn't have anything to do with the crash, I felt it unnecessary to mention this fact (although I did receive several emails from viewers today reminding me of this).

In conclusion, the county government in Santa Rosa has an obligation and moral duty to protect Gold. Not only is he a veteran, he's a victim. Gold deserves to know why Deputy David Salazar failed to show up to court. Gold deserves much more than a "no comment."
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com

Buttons Are Now Obsolete

For the past two years, I've been using a Blackberry. I love the phone. Instant email and a full QWERTY keyboard.

But now I have ditched my digital love for a new affair. The iPhone now sits on my desk, next to my computer, like an adolescent sitting next to an old man on a bus stop bench.

The phone is phenomenal. Faster internet and a friendly user interface. Plus, there's GPS on the phone--and it's amazingly accurate.

At work, I've already used the phone several times, instantly looking up numbers, directions and email. And forget dialing 411. Connect to the net, find the number, and just press the highlighted link the phone automatically recognizes as a phone number.

The connection is far faster than my old Blackberry which I purchased 24 months ago (months are like years these days when it comes to technology).

One thing I'm finding fascinating is the absence of buttons. The iPhone doesn't need no stinking buttons! (Only a few for turning on and volume.)

Now it seems buttons seems so uncool, so out-of-date, so.....old.

Apple's new device, I think, will continue to revolutionize the digital age of journalism.

What's next?

I'm guessing videoconferencing. Soon reporters will be able to broadcast breaking news instantly from their phones until a live truck can arrive.

Even then, the iPhone may be obsolete, replaced with a faster phone with a better video camera. But that seems so far away down the time-line....or is it?
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com

A Story about Silence

You may have seen the promos airing already about my story that is set for broadcast this Wednesday night.

The story is about Nathan Gold, an Iraq War Veteran, who came back to New Mexico and got into a crash that resulted in the loss of his left leg.

It's a tragic story about pain and suffering. But there more to it. Behind the crash investigation, there is something strange going on with the Guadalupe County Sheriff's department--the agency responsible for investigating the crash and for prosecuting the man responsible.

We found some issues with the prosecution of the case that may have to do with family ties.

What's even more strange---nobody is officially talking about the crash investigation from the Sheriff's department. In my report, I'll reveal how, in this case, silence speaks louder than words.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com

Update on Illegal Dumper Attacks

I received a call from the District Attorney's office recently regarding the case against Eric Beyer, the illegal dumper who attacked us on Pajarito Mesa. Looks like there may be a plead deal in the works between the DA and Beyer.

Beyer was indicted on five charges for attacking photographer Jeremy Fine and I while we caught him dumping his trash illegally on the mesa.

Jeremy and I have a meeting next week with a prosecutor to talk about this plea deal.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com

Rewriting the Bio

This morning I spent some time rewriting my bio for the KOB-TV. You can see it here. I hate writing these autobiographies. I've had to do several over the past years and it just seems too self serving. But I did it anyway considering I was told it was time to update it. I went kind of long---now my bio is the longest compared to any other reporter in this section. Ughh...
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com

Built-in Lie Detector

Most of us, I believe, have that skill to pick up on a lie. Subtle changes in voice. Awkward facial expressions. Impromptu excuses.

That's what I picked up on during a phone conversation with someone yesterday. I've been trying to reach a person in Santa Rosa for several weeks and have left several messages. Yesterday a relative of this person answered the phone and claimed he was going to be out of town for the next three-weeks.

I asked for a cell phone number.

"It doesn't work," the person told me because "They're out of state."

I asked for a hotel name.

She didn't have that information.

I asked for a phone number.

She didn't have that information either.

I asked her how she would go about reaching this person in case of an emergency.

Finally the woman on the phone broke, and told me she just doesn't want me talking to this person.

Bingo. When people avoid a reporter, such as myself, that usually tells me they are hiding something. They don't want to answer questions.

I'm not done yet.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com

Unlicensed, Untrained, and Out of Control

!!!!!UPDATE!!!!!: I've learned a few hours ago that National Security's owner, George Davis, was arrested by the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department last night for False Representation under the Private Investigators Act. I was told by a BCSO spokesperson Davis was arrested for operating unlicensed. Davis' company was mentioned in my report on Tuesday when I revealed his company is unlicensed and hiring armed guards without background checks. See picture above.





On Tuesday my report on illegal security guard companies hit the New Mexico airwaves. It's a story that lead to the arrest of one of the security guards I profiled.

In the report, I highlighted the fact there are security guard companies running around unlicensed and unchecked by the state. This means all of the employees these illegal companies hire are not subject to criminal background checks or training, required by state law.

Turns out I found one of these illegal security guards working while armed with a gun. More surprising, this guard, named Brad Simmerman (pictured below) is on probation and shouldn't have any weapons.



As a result of my undercover video revealing Simmerman violating the law, he was arrested after we alerted Probation. Officers found steroids and unprescribed painkillers in his home, along with a bullet and other weapons.

Simmerman is an example of how the state's Regulation and Licensing Department can't or won't control unlicensed companies in New Mexico. This is a serious concern, considering armed guards, who are required by law to be trained and checked-out, are walking among us at malls, banks, and convenience stores.

It was easy for us to find at least eight companies operating illegally, under the radar in Albuquerque.

Here are the following companies:

American Security
JABS Security
ESI Investigations and Associates
High Way Prevention Control
V Team LLC
Rapid Response Security Agency
SSS Enterprises/Solid Steel Security
National Security

There are far more companies state wide operating unlicensed, according to Robb Hamic of Summit Security. He told me he lost contracts to some illegal companies that charge less because they are not paying the proper fees to be legit companies. This is extremely unfair for business owners in New Mexico who pay their share to obey the rules.

For the past several months, Hamic has highlighted shocking and disturbing issues within New Mexico's security industry on his New Mexico Security Blog. I suggest you read it. He can cover much more about the industry than I can. Everything Hamic has told me about unlicensed companies I was able to independently verify.

Unlicensed activity in the state is unacceptable, especially activity that concerns public safety. It's my opinion the state needs to send a clear message to these illegal companies by fining them and putting them out of business. Getting them into compliance is not enough. These companies know they are operating without state certification. Their disrespect for the law is egregious and a blatant disregard for public safety. Rewarding companies for illegal behavior is unacceptable.

I was told by the Regulation and Licensing department they will start shifting around resources to focus on these companies. We'll see what happens....if anything.

For now, people wishing to become legit security guards can get certified through UNM's Continuing Education program.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com

Security Story Hits Air Tonight

Today I'll be pulling a 12 hour day, making sure every word, sentence, video element is ready for tonight's broadcast. Here's the promo for tonight's story.

Countless hours of surveillance, following people around, and paper cuts from looking at court documents all boil down to tonight's report that I estimate will run nearly four minutes long--an eternity in broadcast news these days.

Usually, every five seconds, there's a change in video when you watch a tv report. Today, I'll be watching photographer Jeremy Fine cut hundreds of shots during the editing process. We have the challenge of taking seven different tapes, each with at least 20 minutes of video on them, and whittling them down into my report. It's very time consuming, tedious, but necessary.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com

Promo Set to Air Tonight

I can finally let the cat out of the bag a little bit considering my first investigative piece this month is set to air July 8th.

For the past three months, I've spent hours/days following someone who has been operating an illegal company. This company is responsible for public safety and isn't registered or licensed with this state.

It turns out this person was caught on my surveillance video carrying a gun while on probation.

Tonight the first promo for this report is expected to air. I've been working closely with the station's promotions to clearly get the message across of what this story is about.

I've seen the promo script and it looks pretty good. Watch KOB tonight at ten during the first commercial break for the promo.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com

Hot Suit, Wednesday Already, and Santa Fe

Here's what's in my head this morning:

1)The Insider really is a great movie.

2)I still have 10,000 things to do before next week's report.

3)It's freaking hot outside to be wearing a suit.

4)I'm going to Santa Fe today for an interview. I'm actually looking forward to the drive.

5)It's already Wednesday and it feels like the week is going by too fast.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com

Guzman on Leave

Update: Rick Foley's "refusing to obey" charge has been dismissed by the courts. KOB-TV's Chris Ornelas will have more on this story on this evening's newscasts.

This morning's Albuquerque Journal is reporting Officer Daniel Guzman has been placed on leave as a result of attacking KOB-TV Photographer Rick Foley.

According to the article, Guzman will remain on leave until an upcoming disciplinary hearing.

The Chief of Police has received a report from the Independent Review Officer, and so far, will not comment about the case.

Foley has a court date today regarding his "refusing to obey" citation issued by Guzman. I'll try to make time today to update Foley's case on this blog later today.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com