Wednesday, January 12,2011Local News
In Brief
Wren Abbott
Two months before Jennifer Stephenson allegedly caused serious injury to her 2-year-old son, Children, Youth and Families Department social workers investigated her infant daughter’s near-drowning.
Wednesday, January 5,2011Local News
DNA database tug-of-war uncovers criticism of operation
Wren Abbott
Forensic technicians didn’t come up with a match to known offender Richard Fresquez when they ran DNA from a 2002 Taos rape case, and six weeks later, Fresquez bludgeoned and stabbed 22-year-old LeAnne Martinez to death and absconded to California in her Mustang.
Wednesday, December 22,2010Features
SFR Revisits the top 10 stories of the year—and the conspiracy theories behind them
Julia Goldberg, Alexa Schirtzinger, Wren Abbott, Rani Molla, Laura Paskus, Zane Fischer
We wrap up 2010 with a look back at the top stories that shaped the roller coaster of the last 12 months. True, not all of these stories woke us at 3 am with our teeth chattering. But the pervasive sense of seditious intent from the powers that be did fuel our thinking as we wrapped up the year. So we present not just the top 10 stories, but our own take on the conspiracies behind them.
Wednesday, December 22,2010Local News
In Brief
Wren Abbott
After last week’s brutal head-on collision that killed a wrong-way driver and left a Rocky Mountain EMS paramedic in critical condition, law enforcement is examining ways the accident could have been prevented, or how future incidents could be.
Wednesday, December 22,2010Local News
In Brief
Wren Abbott
The former Santa Fe police officer who was caught on tape beating a handcuffed teenager still has his law enforcement academy certification more than two years after he was fired for his role in the incident.
Wednesday, December 22,2010Opinion
Blaming Moe's
Zane Fischer
As the investigation into the horrific Dec. 14 accident that claimed the life of Kylene Holmes and gravely injured Santa Fe EMT Vanessa Carillo continues, the public will receive a detailed rundown of the actions of Holmes and injured passenger Jennifer Michelle Belvin in the hours before they collided with Carillo, at high speed, heading the wrong direction on Interstate 25.
Wednesday, December 22,2010Local News
Family waits for answers in jail hanging death
Wren Abbott
The last time Elena Fuller saw her older brother Robert Montoya alive, she was dropping him off Dec. 3 at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, where he was checking himself in to get a medical clearance for drug rehab.
Wednesday, December 15,2010Local News
In Brief
Alexa Schirtzinger
The fallout from Sheriff Greg Solano’s resignation has been heavy and complicated—and it’s only just begun. Last month, Solano resigned and confessed to selling county property on eBay due to financial problems.
Wednesday, December 8,2010Local News
Greg Solano’s persistent financial problems foreshadow his undoing
Alexa Schirtzinger
Former Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano’s Nov. 24 admission that he had sold used protective vests and other police gear—belts, holsters, phones and flashlights—on eBay for personal gain was, to many, shocking yet forgivable. But SFR reveals a pattern of financial recklessness that tells a tough story.
11.24.2010
{ago}
Commission holds emergency meeting
by Julia Goldberg
Update: Santa Fe County has reported potential violations of state law to the state auditor's office and has requested, and received verbal approval, "hire a State Auditor approved accounting firm to conduct an immediate forensic audit of the Sheriff’s Department and overall internal control review," according to a press release issued late this afternoon. The Santa Fe County Board of Commissioners swore in Robert Garcia as sheriff at noon today, during an emergency meeting held in response to Greg Solano's resignation.Solano resigned in a release this morning, admitting he had resold sheriff's department vests and other equipment over the internet. The state police is apparently investigating.SFR was on hold on Garcia's cell phone, while he was sworn in on the other line. Garcia is currently driving back from a vacation in Nevada, and plans to be back at work Tuesday morning (Nov. 30).Garcia tells SFR he learned Solano intended to resign last Saturday. "He mentioned to me that the state police was conducting an investigation into the wrongdoing on his part," Garcia says. "He mentioned he’d be meeting with the investigator on Monday and after he met with the investigators, he would release a statement."Garcia says he was completely unaware that Solano was reselling the department's property. " If I had ever had an idea, it would never have been tolerated on my part."After his swearing in by phone, with his voice breaking, Garcia thanked the commission, "for placing your trust in me."To SFR, Garcia says learning the news was "like getting hit in the stomach with a sledgehammer."Solano's admission, Garcia says, " is a major blow to me and to the entire sheriff’s office and the citizens of the county."Garcia says he does not know what precipitated Solano coming forward. "I don't know if the state police was tipped off by someone," he says. "I just don't know."Garcia says he does not know the possible value of the items Solano sold, nor if others were aware in the department of what was happening." One thing we will be doing as soon as I get back, and I know the county will be doing the same, is finding out howwe’ll try to find out as soon as we can to identify the items and who had control" Garcia says he expects to have more answers early next week, and also anticipates more information will be forthcoming from the state police. "It appears [Solano is] cooperating fully and he’s going to have to face the consequences."The state police, in a press release, states the investigation of Solano had been ongoing for months, and remains so. Here is that release: p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Calibri} span.s1 {font: 12.0px Calibri} Over the course of the past several months, the New Mexico State Police have been looking into an allegation of embezzlement by Greg Solano. Through the four month investigation agents with the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau have learned that Greg Solano was selling Santa Fe County property. The amount of property has not come to a final tally; the scheme was facilitated through e-bay where Solano would sell items illegally. Through the course of the investigation we have been working with the 1st Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The case is ongoing and once complete an update will be provided.
at 12:34 PM |
Permalink |
Comments (0)