New Mexico Observatory Closure Linked To Child Porn – Associated Press
An observatory in the mountains of southern New Mexico that mysteriously closed earlier this month sparking popular rumors of alien visitors appears to be linked to a child pornography investigation.
A search warrant filed in U.S. District Court in Las Cruces last week shows that the FBI began investigating after a wireless signal at the Sunspot Solar Observatory, located in the Lincoln National Forest, accessed child porn multiple times since January.
The warrant says the observatory's chief observer told agents he found a laptop with child porn in an empty office.
The FBI says an observatory janitor owns the laptop.
The warrant says the National Solar Observatory and the National Science Foundation shut down the facility after the janitor made veiled threats following federal agents' seizure of the computer.
No arrests have been made.
This story corrects a previous version to say the National Solar Observatory and the National Science Foundation ordered the observatory to close.
New Mexico Candidates Say They Never Smoked Pot – Associated Press
Both candidates for governor of New Mexico say they have never smoked pot.
The similarities regarding marijuana mostly ended there at a televised debate Wednesday night between Republican Congressman Steve Pearce and Democratic Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Pearce says he does not support state approval of recreational marijuana because it can create an obstacle for people who are struggling to get out of poverty. He says people in Raton near the Colorado state line have witnessed problems caused by recreational use in that state.
Michelle Lujan Grisham says she would support legislation for recreational use in New Mexico only if it addresses workplace intoxication, prevents underage use and ensures adequate supplies for medical cannabis patients.
Pearce and Lujan Grisham both voiced support for the state's medical marijuana program.
New Veterans' Cemetery Slated For Northern New Mexico – Associated Press
A $3.2 million federal grant has been awarded to construct a state veterans' cemetery in the northern New Mexico town of Angel Fire.
U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, along with U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, on Wednesday announced approval of funding for the cemetery through a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Udall says the facility will make it easier for many veterans to visit the gravesites of loved ones. Angel Fire is about 90 miles from the nearest national cemetery in Santa Fe.
The cemetery is designed to serve 15,700 veterans and family members eventually.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park is located in Angel Fire. The annual Run for the Wall motorcycle caravan stops there on its way to Washington, D.C.
This story has been corrected to show the grant is for $3.2 million, not $3.2 billion.
New Mexico GOP Candidate Say He Has Defied Trump – Associated Press
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Pearce says he has taken on Donald Trump in two instances while serving in Congress.
Pearce and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham were asked for their impressions about Trump on Wednesday at a televised debate in Albuquerque.
Pearce supported Trump's presidential campaign but says that he has "contended with him pretty earnestly" at times.
That includes opposition to the president's plans to build a bigger wall at the U.S.-Mexico border and a refusal to support one initial proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Pearce eventually voted with the House majority to repeal President Barack Obama's signature health care law. That effort failed to win Senate approval.
Trump lost the New Mexico vote by about 9 percentage points to Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Trial Starts For Militant Religious Sect Leader Over Abuse – Gallup Independent, Associated Press
Opening statements have begun in the trial for one of the leaders of a western New Mexico paramilitary religious sect accused of child sexual abuse.
The Gallup Independent reports prosecutors said Tuesday that former members of the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps will testify against leader Deborah Green and detail allegations of child abuse.
Prosecutor Brandon Vigil says the case involved an infant taken from Uganda who was mistreated throughout her life by Green and member of the isolated Pentecostal sect.
But defense attorney R. Don Lohbeck says the case is about former members who have vendettas against Green and an alleged victim who has changed her story over the years.
Last year, authorities raided the sect's secluded Fence Lake, New Mexico compound over concerns about child abuse.
Mom Slams College Months After Teens Patted Down – Associated Press
The mother of two Native American teens pulled from a Colorado State University tour last spring says she's disappointed the school hasn't taken more steps to prevent similar racial profiling incidents.
Lorraine Kahneratokwas Gray said in a statement Thursday that the university made "false promises to right this wrong."
Campus police patted down and questioned her sons in April. Police said a parent called 911 to report the brothers because they were quiet.
The mother's statement comes as the American Civil Liberties Union calls for more training for police on the Fort Collins campus and demands a review of policies dictating how officers and dispatchers respond to "bias based" calls on campus.
A university spokesman didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.
Santa Fe Seeks To Rid City Of Renegade Gophers – Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press
Officials in New Mexico's capital have declared war on gophers.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reportsthe city of Santa Fe is considering hiring a contractor with a mission to eradicate the burrowing critters that had their way with city parks for more than two years.
City officials say the renegade gophers have been tearing up grassy fields and pockmarking them with clandestine holes in the earth while creating treacherous footing for any young athlete or carefree park-goer.
Under a proposed contract, the Albuquerque-based Gopher Grabbers will "trap" its foes underground.
The full eight-member City Council and Mayor Alan Webber still must approve the contract.
Accused Leader In New Mexico Soccer Hazing Faced Charges – Hobbs News-Sun, Associated Press
The suspected ringleader of reported hazing on a southeastern New Mexico high school boys' soccer team faced criminal charges in a sexual misconduct case but the charges were dismissed.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports the Hobbs High School player was charged with tampering with evidence and bribery or intimidation of a witness - both third-degree felonies in connection with an alleged sexual assault caught on video.
But Fifth Judicial District Attorney Dianna Luce says the charges against the player were dismissed because of a lack of witness cooperation.
A 15-year-old boy charged with sexual exploitation of children for distributing the video later pleaded guilty and entered into a six-month consent decree agreement.
News of the charges comes after a parent of a former player filed a lawsuit against the school and coaches.