Author: KVIA

Gabrielle Lopez

SANTA TERESA, N.M. (KVIA) — New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez announced Thursday that the state Department of Justice filed responses supporting two emergency petitions before the state Supreme Court. NMDOJ argued that state agencies cut corners on legally required processes to accommodate the Project Jupiter data center.

Project Jupiter is a large-scale artificial intelligence data center in development in Doña Ana County.

Water Case (Center for Biological Diversity v. Anderson)

According to Attorney General Torrez, the NMDOJ filed a response supporting an emergency writ of mandamus against State Engineer Elizabeth Anderson. The petition challenged the Office of the State Engineer’s (OSE) two-day approval of an application that allowed a water well to supply construction water for the data center.

The NMDOJ alleged the approval allowed Santa Teresa Capital, LLC to repurpose and existing well without the notice and hearing New Mexico law requires.

In the filing, NMDOJ argued that the State Engineer lacks the authority to approve without notice and hearing. It said the water code’s emergency exception only applies to “a genuine emergency threatening crop loss or serious economic loss to an existing use.”

Attorney General Torrez said the OSE ignored its own guidance on what qualifies as an emergency and disregarded previous hearing decisions rejected similar claims of economic loss.

Additionally, he said the OSE failed to schedule a hearing on the petitioner’s protest, filed Jan. 9, for nearly 10 months. The attorney general claimed the OSE denied the petitioner any hearing while a meter allegedly showed the well pumped more than 100 million gallons of groundwater from the Lower Rio Grande Basin.

Torrez said the basin faces severe drought and is subject to New Mexico’s Rio Grande Compact obligations to Texas.

Air Case (New Energy Economy v. Kenney)

The NMDOJ filed a response supporting an emergency request to stay for prohibitory mandamus in a New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) air quality permitting matter for Project Jupiter’s proposed power plant.

Torrez claimed the proposed power plant uses methane-fueled cells that would generate “an unprecedented concentration of this technology anywhere in the world.”

According to the NMDOJ, the NMED hearing officer set a hearing date for Oct. 19 and rejected the applicant’s request to accelerate it. The hearing officer allegedly said the case’s complexity and due process concerns prevented the acceleration.

On July 19, the hearing officer moved the hearing to Sept. 14 and advanced the deadline for technical evidence and expert testimony from Oct. 1 to Aug. 24.

The hearing officer allegedly denied discovery entirely on Aug. 12, less than two weeks before the evidence was due, NMDOJ said.

NMDOJ argued that the Air Quality Control Act didn’t require the timeline to change.

“The same rules must apply to everyone,” said Attorney General Torrez in a statement. “Whether you’re a family defending a water right or a global corporation with money and political clout. Notice and a fair hearing exist to protect the public, and bending those rules for a powerful applicant undermines public trust, regardless of the outcome. My office will keep using every tool available to make sure state agencies follow the law and answer to the people they serve.”

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Joseph Montero

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – El Paso City Representative for District 8 Chris Canales released a statement in which he says the El Paso Police Department will halt the use of Flock’s Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) camera devices.

Canales said he was notified by Police Chief Peter Pacillas.

The City Representative went on to add that this is a direct result of the termination of grant funding from the state government.

Earlier in the year Canales proposed that the City of El Paso not renew its agreement with Flock. He Also proposed that the city discontinue the use of networked, AI-powered license plate readers.

The proposal was unsuccessful, with City Council voting 2-6 against it.

Canales said he now believes this new decision is the correct one.

“Flock has time and time again shown itself to be untrustworthy as a company, with its system prone to misuse and abuse.”

“I have many outstanding concerns about potential violations of privacy, data sharing and access, and the many scandals and negative incidents nationwide.”

“For clarity, I haven’t seen these issues arise in El Paso. I understand the need for modern solutions to law enforcement, but to me, Flock was never a good solution because of these immense drawbacks and risks.”

ABC-7 reached out to Rep. Canales and the El Paso Police Department for comment.

EPPD Police Chief Pacillas shared a public statement regarding the announcement on social media:

“Following the recent order by Governor Greg Abbott prohibiting state funding for Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), the El Paso Police Department has halted the use of state-funded ALPR devices.

While ALPRs serve as a critical tool that enhances investigative speed and public safety efficiency, EPPD has always operated this technology under strict oversight, limited access, and rigorous privacy safeguards. Restricting these devices shifts our work back to manual investigative methods, impacting overall response times.

The El Paso Police Department committed to providing efficient, transparent law enforcement while protecting civil liberties and exploring solutions to keeping our community safe.”

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (Sept. 3, 2026, 1:24 a.m.): The Texas Department of Public Transportation said all lanes are now open on I-10 East.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — One person was hospitalized after a crash on I-10 East near the Vinton exit. Both eastbound lanes are currently closed, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

The person who was hospitalized has minor injuries, EPCSO said.

Traffic is being diverted at Mile Marker 0 in Anthony from I-10 onto South Desert Boulevard. EPCSO said there’s no estimated time of when the highway will reopen.

Drivers should take an alternate route. EPCSO said traffic backed up past Mile Marker 0 into New Mexico.

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (Sept. 4, 2026): El Paso police said they arrested 50-year-old Richard Montoya after Wednesday’s shooting.

EPPD said they were dispatched to Windsor Drive for an assault in progress. They found a 49-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. He went to a hospital.

Police charged Montoya with aggravated assault and discharge of a firearm in certain municipalities. His bond totaled $76,500. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility.

Richard Montoya’s mugshot.(Courtesy: EPPD)

Crimes Against Persons responded to the scene.

UPDATE (11:54 p.m.): The El Paso Police Department said a man in his 40s has been taken to a local hospital after suffering a gunshot wound.

EPPD went on to add that a man in his 50s has been taken into custody following what they called a dispute between neighbors.

The Crimes Against Persons Unit with EPPD is currently investigating.

ABC-7 will continue to bring updates as they become available.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso police said a shooting happened in Northeast El Paso near Andress High School on Wednesday.

The El Paso Police Department said it happened around 7:54 p.m. at the 10300 block of Windsor Drive.

ABC-7 reached out to the El Paso Fire Department about its FireSTAR helicopter being seen at the shooting. EPFD said it didn’t transport anyone.

An ABC-7 viewer sent a picture of the scene.

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Miroslava Lem Quinonez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – Deputies arrested a 65-year-old man on three deceptive business practice warrants, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said.

According to documents, a victim alleged Humberto Camarillo stole $2,500.

Documents said the victim contacted the owner of Coast 2 Coast Automotive and Collision about a car listed for sale on Facebook. The shop owner said the car belonged to Camarillo and gave the victim his contact information.

The victim told investigators he texted Camarillo to make a deal with him, documents said. Camarillo allegedly agreed to sell the car for $5,000.

On July 29, the victim used Zelle to pay Camarillo $2,500, to hold the car for him, documents said. The victim had to make two separate payments since Zelle had a $2,000 limit.

On Aug. 2, the victim sent the remaining $500. Documents said Camarillo was supposed to send the vehicle the same day, but didn’t.

While speaking with Camarillo, the victim asked if he owned a construction company. He asked if he would be interested in remodeling his mother’s restroom, documents said. The victim agreed to pay Camarillo $1,500 after he remodeled the restroom.

Camarillo allegedly asked for an additional $500 payment. The victim said he had quoted him one price to remodel the restroom and refused to send the payment, documents said.

On Aug. 6, Camarillo said the vehicle he was selling was no longer available, documents said.

Camarillo allegedly said, “I’ll use the money you sent me for the car to remodel your mom’s restroom.” The victim said that the money was meant for the car, and using it for the restroom went against what they agreed on, documents said.

The victim went to Coast 2 Coast Automotive and Collision on Aug. 12 and confronted the owner. The victim alleged Camarillo didn’t answer his calls or messages.

The shop’s owner called Camarillo to ask if he would return the $2,500. Camarillo allegedly said no, documents said.

Camarillo said he would send $500 back through Zelle, but the victim never received the payment, documents said.

The victim told investigators he later saw Camarillo repost the vehicle for sale on Facebook for $8,000.

The victim learned that Camarillo had a history of deceptive business practices and had two outstanding warrants, documents said.

Tuesday, deputies arrested Camarillo and booked him into the Downtown Detention Facility on the three warrants. His bond totaled $10,000.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Wednesday, two people, including a teenager, went to the hospital after an ATV crash in East El Paso, the County Sheriff’s Office said.

At 9:06 a.m., EPCSO deputies went to the 13500 block of Timothy Drive near Desert Wind School to respond to the crash. Special Traffic Investigators took over the investigation.

Investigators said a 15-year-old drove the ATV at a high rate of speed on a dirt road. The driver lost control after driving over a dirt berm, EPCSO said.

The teen sustained serious injuries, EPCSO said. A passenger went to a hospital with minor injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — An El Paso Fire Department employee allegedly took fuel from an EPFD vehicle to put into his personal vehicles, according to the El Paso County Constable’s Office, Precinct 4.

In a news release sent Wednesday, the constable’s office said 51-year-old Oscar Maldonado took the fuel from different City of El Paso fuel pump locations. Authorities arrested him Monday and charged him with theft and abuse of official capacity.

The constable’s office said Maldonado’s neighbor reported the alleged fuel theft.

Since the allegations involved possible public corruption offenses, the constable’s office requested assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

An investigation revealed video footage of Maldonado allegedly placing five-gallon fuel containers into various take-home vehicles with markings that indicated they belonged to EPFD, officials said.

Videos showed Maldonado allegedly dispensing the fuel into his family’s vehicles at his home in Anthony, New Mexico, documents said. His spouse or daughter also allegedly dispensed the fuel.

EPFD and the City of El Paso helped find other videos showing Maldonado allegedly using his fuel pump employee access to dispense fuel bought by the city meant for city vehicles. He allegedly filled fuel containers and used them to fill his own personal vehicles.

“Maldonado’s actions were intentional and were committed for his and his family’s personal benefit,” the constable’s office said. “Maldonado’s employment with the El Paso Fire Department granted him access to the fuel purchased by the City of El Paso for use by the City of El Paso for official governmental purposes.”

Authorities booked Maldonado into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $4,000 bond.

The City of El Paso issued the following statement:

“The El Paso Fire Department (EPFD) was notified that a civilian employee was the subject of a criminal investigation involving allegations related to theft of City property. The employee was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. 

On September 1, 2026, the EPFD was notified that the employee had been arrested in connection with the investigation. The EPFD is cooperating fully with the investigating agencies. As this remains an active criminal proceeding, the Department will not comment further. 

The EPFD remains committed to integrity, accountability, transparency, and professionalism and has taken appropriate action consistent with applicable laws and policies.”

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A 17-year-old boy was found guilty of five felonies in connection with a gun shop burglary in Las Cruces, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.

In November 2025, six teens used a stolen Kia Forte to smash through Strykers Shooting World, according to the district attorney’s office. They stole nine handguns, two rifles and a shot gun.

Surveillance cameras inside Strykers Shooting World captured images, including this one, of the suspects who broke into and burglarized the store.

After a three-day trial and seven-hour deliberation, a jury returned a mixed verdict for Adan Delgado, one of the involved teens.

The district attorney’s office said Delgado is guilty of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence and conspiracy charges. However, he’s acquitted of larceny and a separate vehicle theft charge.

The judge declared a mistrial for the two remaining felony counts of aggravated burglary and larceny.

Delgado never entered Strykers, but he planned the burglary, according to the district attorney’s office. It also said he helped facilitate the theft of a vehicle the group used during the break-in.

“Adan Delgado knew what he was doing,” said Doña Ana County District Attorney Fernando Macias.  “He knew the intent and directly contributed to putting more guns into this community.”

Surveillance video showed the group leaving the store in another stolen car, a Kia Rio, the district attorney’s office said.

Police found a class schedule belonging to one of the involved teens, which helped investigators find and arrest them.

The group caused $20,000 in damage to the store and stole $15,000 worth of weapons. They also totaled one of the stolen cars — which cost an estimated $18,000 in damage, the district attorney’s office said. The debt went to the car’s owner.

“They couldn’t have done this without the help of Adan Delgado,” said Macias. “This is one step toward justice in this case. Our office intends to hold all the teenage defendants involved accountable.”

An amenability hearing will be scheduled before sentencing for Delgado.

Three other defendants are awaiting trial.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A second defendant pleaded guilty for his role in a 2023 deadly shooting outside the Ditzy Duck Bar on Airway Boulevard. Aaron John received a 35-year prison sentence for a shooting that killed two people.

John, who’s 25-years-old, pleaded guilty to murder and attempted capital murder on Aug. 21, the 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said. His counts will run concurrently.

On July 13, 2023, a fight broke out in the parking lot of the Ditzy Duck Bar.

The District Attorney’s Office said 26-year-old James Nicholson and his Girlfriend, 27-year-old Alexa Renata were involved in a physical altercation in the parking lot.

Surveillance video showed Andrew Williams pulling out a handgun and firing toward the group, the District Attorney’s Office said.

Nicholson and Renata died, the District Attorney’s Office said. Four others were injured.

John shot his own weapon into the air, then at witnesses, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

As ABC-7 previously reported, Fort Bliss military police stopped a suspected vehicle that Williams and John used at the Constitution gate. Jail records said Williams and John had addresses in the military installation.

Williams previously pleaded guilty to murder and attempted capital murder. He received a life sentence in July 2025.

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Lauren Bly

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office faces a more than $4 million deficit — up more than $550,000 from last week.

During Monday’s El Paso County Commissioner’s Court meeting, Budget and Finance Director Carmen Candelaria said projected deficit is because of salaries, overtime and meals at the jails.

She also said the department has just over $9 million left in its budget.

At the end of the meeting, county commissioners unanimously approved moving $1.5 million from the county’s operations budget to help with the cost of meals at the jails. They also approved transferring $27,000 from the courthouse security fund to cover the cost of ballistic shields.

ABC-7 spoke to County Judge Ricardo Samaniego who said that issues like over time are not a simple fix.

“You can’t compare that, saving someone’s life versus paying overtime,” said Samaniego.

He did say that the county has a contingency fund to cover the deficit and that the sheriff’s budget will be higher next year.

In August, the department faced a $2.5 million shortfall.

ABC-7 reached out to the sheriff’s office for comment.

He sent ABC-7 a statement:

In response to recent reports regarding the Sheriff’s Office projected budget shortfall, I want to provide additional context to our community.

The increasing year-end projection should not be interpreted to mean that our overtime spending is increasing at the same rate. We have been actively working to control and maintain overtime while continuing to operate two detention facilities and provide law enforcement services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The projection also changes as necessary operating expenses continue to be processed, including inmate food, medical and hospital expenses, facility operations, utilities, fuel, salaries, and other essential costs of operating the Sheriff’s Office.

I take our responsibility to taxpayers seriously. We are reviewing expenditures, reducing costs wherever we safely can, and working with the Budget Team, County Administration, and Commissioners Court. At the same time, I have consistently raised concerns that our funding, particularly for overtime, does not reflect the actual operational needs of the Sheriff’s Office.

My goal is not to argue over a projection. My goal is to work together to identify the actual costs of safely operating the Sheriff’s Office and develop a realistic and sustainable budget so we do not find ourselves facing the same situation again next year.

We will continue to be transparent, accountable, and focused on providing safe and responsible public safety services to the people of El Paso County.

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