Mesamystery.com Up and Running

I was somewhat reluctant to start another blog, but considering this is a story I've been covering, it may be good to document what has become Albuquerque's biggest crime scene in history.

I've started www.mesamystery.com, a blog dedicated to remains being discovered west of the city.

I'll try to update the blog as much as I can when I have brief moments of free time.
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jeremyjojola.com

Illegal Dumper Pleads in Attack Case

Remember that illegal dumper who attacked me and photographer Jeremy Fine during an illegal dumping story?

He finally made a plea in the case. See a brief blurb here on KOB-TV.

Here's the full video of the original report:



I'm very happy with the result of this case. There is now a felony conviction on Beyer's record. He will now be supervised by a probation officer and will be subject to random drug testing. Beyer will also have to pay restitution to the damage he caused on our news unit. If he behaves himself for the next 18 months, he will avoid jail time.

I'm also happy Beyer chose to avoid a trial, despite the fact it could have meant more convictions and prison time for him.

Photographer Jeremy Fine and I didn't get hurt during this episode. There are other victims out there, some of them who have been murdered, who need the resources of the DA's office and court time more than we do.

I want to extend a special thanks to ADA Niki Brito, her co-workers, and the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Deptartment for their work on this case. They did an exceptional job communicating with us.
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jeremyjojola.com

Body Count up to Ten, Including Fetus

3:01 pm: Albuquerque Police also said during today's press conference they believe the bodies were buried between 2000 and 2005.

2:28 pm: The number of bodies found on Albuquerque's West Mesa is now up to ten according to the Albuquerque Police Department.

During a news conference earlier this afternoon, police also say a fetus was found among the remains.

Police are counting the fetus as part of the body count according to a KOB photographer who attended this afternoon's press conference.

For now, only one of the remains has been identified as belonging to 24-year-old Victoria Chavez who police say was a known prostitute and a drug user.
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jeremyjojola.com

Pete Dinelli's Twin

Forgive me for this juvenile post, but I have to share it. For years I've always joked with my coworkers in the newsroom about a funny resemblance between a well-known city employee and a cartoon character.

I always think Deputy City Attorney Pete Dinelli looks like Millhouse from The Simpsons:



Pete, if you stumble across this, I know you'll laugh. Pete has always been a friendly guy with us reporters.
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jeremyjojola.com

Tapia's Two Second Chances

Boxing Legend Johnny Tapia is back in jail tonight, on a probation violation for using cocaine. Here's my KOB-TV coverage.

I found Tapia admitted he used cocaine way back in August of 2008 while he was on probation. An Order Regarding Alleged Probation Violation shows he admitted to "using one line of cocaine." Click on image below:



On that same order, Judge Kenneth Martinez decided not to take action on Tapia's probation, despite the admission.

Martinez told me over the phone he felt the admission wasn't a complete probation violation, so Tapia was allowed to keep his probation and stay out of jail.

So essentially for months, authorities knew Tapia was using drugs, but his second chance remained in effect.
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jeremyjojola.com

Police: Man Busted with 85 Pounds of Meth

Here's a photo taken by New Mexico State Police just outside of Tucumcari. It shows what police say is eighty five pounds of meth stashed in a vehicle.

Lt. Eric Garcia told me over the phone the meth is "high quality."



Here's the press release from New Mexico State Police:

State of New Mexico

State Police Seize over 80 lbs of Meth on a Traffic Infraction

Santa Fe - State Police officers were patrolling Interstate 40, when an officer observed a traffic infraction just outside Tucumcari, NM, the Sunday afternoon infraction led the officer to a traffic stop on a 1999 Silver Infiniti, driven by 44 y.o. male, Jose Alvarez-Amezcua of Chula Vista, California.

The officer subsequently searched the vehicle and located a hidden compartment containing multiple bundles wrapped in black duct tape and cellophane. The bundles were determined to contain methamphetamines (ICE), the total weight of the narcotic was 85 pounds, which was valued at 1.7 million dollars.

Jose Alvarez-Amezcua was later booked into the Quay county detention facility on trafficking of a controlled substance with out further incident. The Drug Enforcement Agency has since adopted the case, and will be prosecuted federally.

# # #

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jeremyjojola.com

Mayor Gets Speeding Ticket

I'll be the first to admit it: I've had my share of traffic tickets. I've been popped speeding several times over my thirteen years as a driver.

Today Mayor Martin Chavez had to explain his speeding ticket.

He was pulled over for going 76 in a 65 while driving, just north of Santa Fe by a Tesuque Tribal Police Officer.

So why is this news?

When you're the mayor of a city that has pushed for red light cameras, speed vans, neighborhood speed warning signs, taxpayers expect you to practice what you preach.

Any politician's brush with the law is also of public interest. Perhaps the only people that would disagree with me are politicians themselves (and those who work for them).

The Mayor wasn't afraid to talk about his mistake on camera today. Although the interview I did with him was a bit awkward, he handled the situation the way people at home would expect him to.

He fessed up, admitted his mistake and was honest--and that's newsworthy.
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jeremyjojola.com

Unemployment $$$ Not Coming In

3:27pm: A total of 23-thousand people who receive unemployment $$$ affected. Out of that number---93-hundred people with direct-deposit/debit cards didn't receive cash in accounts today. Money should be deposited in 72 hours. Folks who receive $$ in mail may get their checks a little late....

3:16pm: Release from the Department of Workforce Solutions about people not receiving benefits:

NMDWS Unemployment Insurance Payment Issue Corrected


(Albuquerque, NM) – The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions experienced technical difficulties with the Unemployment Insurance system Sunday night. The department worked throughout the day to correct the problem. Eligible claimants should receive their payments within 72 hours.



“We realize our customers rely on receiving their payments in a timely manner,” stated Secretary Betty Sparrow Doris, NM Department of Workforce Solutions. “What occurred overnight was an unforeseen system error and I want to assure our customers that we are working to prevent this from happening in the future.”



In order to process claimant payments, the Unemployment Insurance Call Center will close at 5:30 p.m. today only.





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Carrie B. Moritomo

Public Information Officer
State of New Mexico
Department of Workforce Solutions

1:51 pm: Dept. of Workforce Solutions press person will not disclose information until official press release is sent out. Press release still must be approved by dept. higher-ups.....

1:19 pm - I'm getting several emails and phone calls from people who say they haven't received unemployment cash this week. One man says he went to the grocery store to buy food with his state-issued debit card, but the account didn't have cash.

Just called Dept. of Workforce Solutions PIO. She says she will give me a call back on this...saying she's working on putting together a press release soon.

Will post info here on this blog. You can also follow updates via my twitter account here or to the twitter feed on the right.
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jeremyjojola.com

Mark of the Beast

I finally had time today to take a look at Strongcity.info and found an interesting comment someone left on the website (here's the link):

With all due respect to Mr. Jojola, he is a perfect example of one who has the mark of the beast. His reporting is not done in an attempt to arrive at the truth, but to protect his own interests, which is the nature of the beast.

On a side note, since my Sunday night report about Esther, I haven't heard a thing about her, or where she may be. I've sent some emails out and made some calls. I'll try to update some news about her once I get some info...if that ever happens.

I can only guess where Esther is. On Strongcity.info today, it was written that she has been "incommunicado" and that she hasn't contacted her mother or sister since she was taken away.
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jeremyjojola.com