Busted for Badge Abuse

A city zoning inspector is suspended for the next ninety days for abusing his badge. His name is Arturo Manzanares:



See the report below I did on Thursday night:


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jeremyjojola.com

"Godfather" of Corruption in New Mexico

Yesterday Manny Aragon was sentenced to prison time for his corruption crimes. See coverage here.






In the video below, I asked Aragon if he would like to apologize...he remained silent:



One thing I didn't have time to mention during yesterday's coverage was an interesting meeting Aragon allegedly had with three other defendants at Paul's Monterey Inn, a restaurant in Albuquerque's northeast heights.

During the sentencing hearing, an FBI agent testified saying thirty-thousand dollars in cash was given to Aragon at this restaurant (presumably, literally under the table). The agent said the meeting between Aragon was held because "he was unhappy with how much he was receiving."

Outside the courthouse, U.S. Attorney Greg Fouratt (left photo) had some really good quotes about Aragon too that I didn't have time to squeeze in:

"He threw his considerable support behind legislation that he knew was going to contain millions of dollars that he intended to steal. That is one of the low points in the history of our state government."

and...

"You shouldn't weep for Mr. Aragon, because he could write a check today for that amount...and perhaps what is more important is that in 60 days he's going to start a 67 month prison sentence...and based on the treachery and contempt he showed for New Mexico taxpayers, particularly those for whom he was a role model and a beacon of hope, prison is exactly where he belongs."

Fouratt also referred to Aragon as the "Godfather" of corruption in New Mexico.

Aragon has requested to spend his prison time within the minimum-security wing at the federal prison in Florence, Colorado.
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jeremyjojola.com

DWI Checkpoint Time Lapse Video

Check out this time lapse video of an Albuquerque DWI checkpoint by Kyle Hartsock of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department:



The above images were captured by Hartsock this past Friday at Coors & Paseo. Hartsock says around 11 people were arrested that night.

The slide show contains 900 images taken over an hour-and-a-half.
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jeremyjojola.com

Rise in Kids Smuggling Drugs Across Border

Take a look at this photo released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The above photo according to this press release from CBP is of a 15-year-old Ciudad Juarez, Mexico boy carrying 6.8 pounds of marijuana. The bust was made a couple of days ago in El Paso, Texas.

The press release from CBP says authorities have recently seen a rise in the number of children caught smuggling drugs across the border:

“These juvenile cases are not without consequence. The offenders are turned over to either the El Paso Police Department or the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department to face state and local charges. There is no age related free pass as some of the smugglers have been led to believe.”

-William Molaski, CBP El Paso Port Director

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jeremyjojola.com

It's Still Manny's Torreon - For Now

Interesting results in my small poll on the right. As you can see 52 percent of the voters believe Manny Aragon's name should be removed from the Torreon. Thanks for voting.

He's a convicted felon who fell from grace and power. On St. Patrick's day, Manny Aragon will be sentenced for his corruption crimes. Not a lucky day for him. He faces up to five-and-a-half years in a federal prison.

While as a powerful state senator, he fought for millions in taxpayer dollars to establish the National Hispanic Cultural Center which now sits proudly in Albuquerque's Barelas neighborhood.

For thanks, his name was placed on the center's Torreon. It remains there in bold letters today.

Some people like Rep. Miguel Garcia, D-Albuquerque have called for Aragon's name to be removed from the tower.

Today I emailed the interim director of the NHCC, asking if a decision on this has been made yet.

Danny Lopez emailed me back saying the NHCC's board may have a public meeting about this issue in April.

Lopez also says the NHCC is keeping a file on all the emails and letters it has received from people expressing their own opinion about the matter.

What do you think?

Vote in my poll on the right.
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jeremyjojola.com

Shooting Suspect's Arrest Warrant

For the past couple of days I've been covering the fatal shoot of Albuquerque businessman Barron Freeman, the owner of Piranha Pumps.

A business associate, Donald Hovland, is still on the run, wanted for Freeman's murder.

Here's a page from Hovland's arrest warrant made public yesterday.

Hovland could be hiding out in the wilderness, considering he's an avid outdoors man, as described by neighbors and friends.

Yesterday, we watched Sheriff's deputies pull out nearly 30 guns from Hovland's home along with thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Here's a video clip:


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jeremyjojola.com