Category: kvia-local-news

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — The Las Cruces Museum of Art will open a new exhibit exploring the culture of Michoacán, Mexico. Monday, the city said a collection of cultural masks will be on display starting July 17.

Mask making is a vibrant and playful art form across Mexico, the city said. Dancers wear them in performances during religious holidays. Masks often depict devils and holy men, celebrities and others, according to the city.

Some masks depict people who personify sinners and false idols in a satirical vein, the city said.

The “Dancing with Life” exhibit will include 50 historic and contemporary masks and five dance regalia sets.

The exhibit started in Spokane, Washington, and is on a national tour. It will be in Las Cruces from July 17-Oct. 17.

The city said a reception will take place Aug. 7 from 5-7 p.m.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Monday, the City of El Paso said it reached an $8 million settlement agreement with Daniel Villegas to resolve a federal civil lawsuit against the city alleging violations of constitutional rights.

The 2015 lawsuit alleged violations of constitutional rights from the investigation, arrest and prosecution of Villegas tied to the 1993 murders of Armando “Mando” Lazzo and Robert “Bobby” England.

Villegas said he was forced to confess to the murders when he was 16 years old.

Villegas was convicted in 1995 received a life sentence. He served 20 years in prison and the convicted overturned in 2013. He was later acquitted in 2018.

In 2025, a judge granted summary judgment dismissing charges of malicious prosecution, false arrest, failure-to-intervene and conspiracy claims against all defendants in the case, the city said.

Now, the city said both parties agreed to mediate to see whether the case could be resolved before going to trial.

The city said through mediation, it eliminated the uncertainty of a jury trial, the risk to a much larger judgment and costs and delays associated with continued litigation.

Villegas sought $20 million in damages, and the case involved events that are more than 30 years old. The city said that caused significant challenges associated with witness availability and the passage of time.

“After carefully evaluating the risks, costs and uncertainties associated with continued litigation, the City determined resolving this matter through mediation was in the best interests of the City and its taxpayers,” said Karla Nieman, City Attorney for the City of El Paso.

In a news release, the city said the settlement isn’t an “admission of liability or wrongdoing by the City of El Paso.”

“This resolution is consistent with the City’s ongoing commitment to responsibly manage taxpayer resources while resolving legal disputes in a manner that best serves the public interest,” it said.

The city said had it not been for mediation, some of Villegas’ pending claims would have been resolved through a jury trial selected in August.

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Gabrielle Lopez

ANTHONY, Texas (KVIA) — The Anthony Police Department arrested and charged El Paso boxer Kayla Gomez for allegedly assaulting her step-aunt Saturday, according to arrest documents ABC-7 obtained.

Saturday, an Anthony Police Department officer went to a home near Anthony High School after hearing about an assault. The victim told the officer she reportedly got into an argument with Gomez over party decorations for Gomez’ daughter, according to documents.

The victim alleged Gomez punched her and couldn’t remember how many times because she was “blacking out,” according to documents.

The victim said once she gained consciousness, she saw family members trying to stop Gomez from trying to continue to assault.

According to documents, the victim had had an injury on her mouth and felt discomfort on both sides of her face.

She also alleged Gomez was the primary aggressor in the argument, documents said.

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Gabrielle Lopez

CANYON, Texas (KVIA) — A 23-year-old El Paso man has been charged for a crash that injured a child and a pregnant woman, according to the Canyon Police Department. The crash happened Sunday in Canyon, Texas, which is south of Amarillo.

According to CPD, Jacob Saucedo from El Paso crashed an SUV into a concrete highway median. Saucedo and three others went to the hospital in critical condition.

Two of the passengers included a 21-year-old pregnant woman and a 9-month-old child, police said.

The pregnant woman’s injuries caused her to lose the pregnancy, CPD said.

Police charged Saucedo with three counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle and booked him into the Randall County Sheriff’s Office jail. According to jail records, Saucedo’s bond totaled $45,000.

CPD said the crash is still under investigation.

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Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — For nearly a month, the FIFA World Cup brought fans across the Borderland together as the U.S. Men’s National Team continues to surprise in it’s now lengthy run in the tournament.

Monday, Team USA returned to the pitch to take on Belgium in the Round of 16 in Seattle, and fans repping their red, white and blue seemed to be as enthusiastic and hopeful as ever.

However, that excitement quickly faded over the course of Monday night, as the Americans fell to the Belgians by a final score of 4-1, marking it the second straight Men’s World Cup the U.S. was eliminated by European team by three goals in the Round of 16.

Their energy prior to the match came to light after a stunning decision by FIFA Sunday morning — suspending a red card penalty on USA forward Folarin Balogun and allowing him to play in Monday’s match.

Balogun, who scored three goals in USA’s first four World Cup matches, brings a much-needed boost to the the team while sparking much discussion and controversy on the timing of FIFA’s decision.

Regardless, fans were optimistic about the future of U.S. men’s soccer following this year’s World Cup.

“I think they’re attracting a more crowd and I think soccer is going to grow in the US within like the next ten years,” Mike Nevarez, an El Paso native and USA fan told ABC 7. “Maybe in like 12 years, we’re probably gonna be competing for a championship.

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Nina Gallegos

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – El Paso Animal Services expected a big intake of animals during the Fourth of July weekend. The holiday is usually one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year for shelters because loud fireworks scare animals out of their homes.

Throughout the weekend, lost and found dogs have been posted on El Paso Facebook watch pages. Residents will post pictures and addresses of lost and found pets.

Over 300 dogs were brought into the shelter this past Fourth of July weekend, according to El Paso Animal Services spokesperson Destiny Valdez.

Among them, a dog named Kentucky was recently reunited with his owner, Roberto Reynoso, at the shelter.

Reynoso spent his Fourth of July looking for his two lost dogs. He discovered Kentucky was missing after letting his dogs into the house one night.

“So all of a sudden in the night when I just let them into the house, they were not there,” Reynoso said.

Reynoso noted the intensity of the fireworks.

“We knew that the Fourth of July is a big party for US citizens. But we really didn’t expect the night before Fourth of July to have like, big fireworks,” Reynoso said.

After searching Facebook pages, Reynoso located Kentucky at the shelter. He is still looking for his other dog, Jack.

Valdez explained the impact of fireworks on animals. Valdez said dogs experience sounds differently than humans.

“They have a higher sense of hearing than humans, so it sounds extra loud to them,” Valdez said. “They don’t understand that it’s celebration for humans. To them, it feels like the sky is falling on them.”

El Paso Animal Services anticipates hundreds more pets will be brought in during the week following the Independence Day celebrations. In response, Valdez is encouraging community members to adopt and foster animals to help clear space at the shelter for these new arrivals.

“We are offering free adoptions thanks to the BISSELL Pets Empty the Shelters. So if you can help and you’ve been waiting to find your furry friend, we have all types of personalities here. All types of pets, all sizes, all breeds. So just come down and adopt and take a free friend home today,” Valdez said.

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Jerry Najera

UPDATE (11:29 p.m.) — The Northern Zone District Prosecutor’s Office said the teenager hit was 15 years old, not 13.

Officials said the teen was hit in an area where street vendors aren’t allowed and crossed at a location not designed for pedestrians.

The prosecutor’s office said the driver, a 10-year-old man, has been released and is subject to legal proceedings while an investigation continues.

Reports said the driver allegedly hit the teen at 10:30 a.m. and the National Guard initially took over the incident since it happened in a location under federal jurisdiction.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A 13-year-old was killed after being struck by a vehicle at the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry on the Mexican side of the border, authorities said.

Video shared by Channel 44 appears to show a gray car traveling along the left side of the traffic lanes moments before striking the child. The vehicle continues driving after the collision.

The video has been paused before the moment of impact because of the graphic nature of the incident.

Authorities later identified the driver and took the person into custody. Additional details about the driver’s identity or any potential charges were not immediately available.

Officials have not released further information about the circumstances leading up to the crash. The incident remains under investigation.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A former El Paso Police Department officer pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony offenses, according to the El Paso District Attorney’s Office Monday. He pleaded guilty June 23.

Thirty-year-old Joshua Anthony Gallardo pleaded guilty to assault impeding breath or circulation involving a dating partner and continuous violence against the family, according to a news release.

The district attorney’s office said Gallardo’s charges connect to assaults involving two victims within a year. In one incident, witnesses saw him assault someone in public and intervened until law enforcement showed up. He also assaulted a second person within the same time frame, according to the release.

June 4, Gallardo also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor terroristic threat and harassment charges for making 552 unwanted phone calls to the second victim, including a “threatening voicemail,” the district attorney’s office said.

Gallardo’s sentence included 10 years of community supervision, 30 days in the El Paso County Detention Facility, 500 hours of community service, a $1,000 fine, surrendering his Texas peace officer license, completing the Batterer Intervention and Prevention Program and no contact with the victims, the news release said.

EPPD fired Gallardo in March 2025.

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Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — As families across the country gather together to celebrate the 4th of July, one family will reunite for the first time in years in El Paso.

Juan Escobar, an Albuquerque native, will finally be able to celebrate a holiday with his 14-year-old son, Andrew, all thanks to the El Paso Police Department.

Over the last three years, Escobar endured a long-standing search and custody battle over Andrew with his Miriam Felix, Andrew’s mom, which he originally won in 2023.

Not long after that custody victory, Andrew went with Felix for an overnight stay.

He never came home.

Missing posters said Andrew went missing June 25, 2023. He was 11 years old at the time.

(Courtesy: Juan Escobar)

Escobar hired a private investigator to uncover Andrew’s whereabouts. Investigation revealed Felix changed her name to Sophie Shelton and changed Andrew’s name to Oliver Shelton. The two reportedly moved to an area near Fort Collins, Colorado.

Suddenly, the case changed from a missing child to an abduction.

Escobar wasn’t able to find Andrew or Felix in Fort Collins.

After years of prayer and searching for answers, Juan received a phone call from El Paso Police last week.

In the call, EPPD said they had Felix in custody and Andrew waiting for him.

(Courtesy: EPPD)

Escobar said Andrew told authorities he and his mom traveled to several countries over the three-year period, including Austria, Albania and Turkey.

He reportedly said he went to school online and just finished eighth grade.

However, his father is worried about his mental health.

“Physically, he’s well,” Escobar said. “But he’s just been through so much the last three years emotionally and mentally.”

Escobar told ABC-7 police said Border Patrol identified Andrew as a missing person while he and Felix reportedly crossed into El Paso from Ciudad Juarez, putting both of them into custody.

Escobar told ABC-7 his wife drove him down to El Paso and told him he wasn’t “in the condition to drive.”

He said his first instinct was to hug Andrew, since they used to love wrestling, but was told to give him space instead.

“The reality is that Andrew was an 11-year-old boy that was abducted and was moved across the country, and then moved out of the country and possibly overseas over the last three years,” Escobar said. “He’s a boy right now who has been in flight or fight mode for the last three years.”

Escobar said he’s now investigating how Andrew reportedly traveled around the world without being flagged as a missing person.

He also said he hopes Felix understands the gravity of what she’s done.

“This isn’t just trying to keep a father away from his son. This is breaking local law and breaking international law,” Escobar said. “I’m hopeful she understands what she’s done and she gets the help that she needs.”

Escobar also questioned how Felix afforded international trips.

As Andrew reunites with his father, Escobar has a simple message for parents and families this holiday weekend:

“Do what’s best for your children,” Escobar said. “Because ultimately, they’re what matter the most.”

Escobar said he’s excited to spend the holiday weekend with his son.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — The Las Cruces Police Department started accepting applications Monday for its next training academy. The 22-week paid academy is set to start January 2027, according to LCPD.

Police cadet salaries while in the academy is $24 per hour, LCPD said. Graduates from the academy become officer trainees who then receive $26 per hour. Trainees who finish a one-year probation status become patrol officers, who earn $30.28 per hour.

LCPD officers work four 10-hour shifts, according to a news release.

Applications for the police cadet position open Monday and close Sept. 16, LCPD said. LCPD has a budget for 198 officers and currently has 183.

Before starting the 22-week academy, there’s a six-week pre-academy, according to the police department.

The police department is also offering hiring incentives for cadets with a three-year commitment:

$11,000 for each cadet

$15,000 for an associate degree

$20,000 for a bachelor’s degree or four years of honorable military service or retirement from the military

$25,000 for a bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology, criminal justice or criminology

$30,000 for a master’s degree in sociology, psychology, criminal justice or criminology

LCPD noted these incentives aren’t stackable.

Additionally, some recruits who live outside Las Cruces may be eligible for up to $5,000 to help them relocate.

Other benefits for LCPD recruits include annal leave and vacation time. LCPD said first-year officers earn 256 hours of leave each year once they finish their one-year probation.

Leave and paid vacation time breaks down into 80 hours of annual leave, 80 hours of personal leave and 96 hours of sick leave, the police department said.

With the four 10-hour shifts, annual and personal leave total 16 days off each year, plus holidays and regular days off, LCPD said.

LCPD listed these requirements for applying:

Must be a U.S. citizen or have a work authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Be at least 19 years old when the academy begins

Have a high school diploma

Have no felony convictions

Applications are on this website.

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