On February 11, 2024, at approximately 4:42 pm, the Alamogordo Police Department responded to the 800 Block of US Highway 70 West, for a report of a male subject who had just been shot. Once on scene, Officers located a 21-year-old male subject with no signs of life and two other adults present at the scene.
The Twelfth Judicial Major Crimes Unit, a task force consisting of investigators from the Twelfth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Alamogordo Police Department, Otero County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and Ruidoso Police Department, assumed the investigation.
The preliminary investigation revealed the decedent suffered a single gunshot wound and, despite life-saving measures, succumbed to his injuries. The Office of the Medical Investigator responded to the scene and identified the decedent and next of kin was notified. The investigation is ongoing.
Flash Bang Barricaded Resident…
On January 25, 2024, at 1726 hours, the Alamogordo Police Department and Otero County Sheriff’s Office located 53-year-old Larry J. Stanfill Jr. in the 1800 block of Puerto Rico. Stanfill had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest and barricaded himself inside his residence. After negotiations for him to surrender failed, New Mexico State Police SWAT team responded. Stanfill was later taken into custody, and no one was injured during the incident.
Stanfill was arrested on a Magistrate Court Warrant for Retaliation of a Witness, Aggravated Assault against a Household Member, Battery and Assault against a Household Member, and Receipt, Transportation, or Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons. He was additionally charged with Resisting or Obstructing an Officer. He was incarcerated at OCDC and is to appear in Magistrate Court.
The New Mexico State Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit (FAU), with assistance from the US Marshals Service (USMS) arrested a man wanted on an active felony warrant of child sex abuse.
On February 13, 2024, New Mexico State Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit with assistance from the USMS, served a warrant on Miguel Florentino (31) stemming from 2 counts of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor in the second degree (child under 13) and Criminal Sexual Penetration in the first degree (child under 13).
Following surveillance, Florentino was observed at a residence on Higgins Lane in Las Cruces. A plan was developed by FAU and USMS to surround the house and Florentino was taken into custody without further incident.
“It is great to see our agency work with our federal partners to apprehend a wanted individual with serious felony charges against a child. We will continue to utilize every resource we have to locate and apprehend criminals who hurt others, especially children.” said New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler.
“There is no duty more important than ensuring the safety of the children of our communities. Anybody that harms our children will be brought to justice.” said District of New Mexico Acting U.S. Marshall Russell Lashley.
The Las Cruces Police Department is the investigating agency for this case. Please reach out to them for any inquiries.
Statewide Traffic Operation Keeps New Mexico Roads Safe
On February 15, 2024, the New Mexico State Police conducted a statewide traffic operation. The five-hour operation focused on speeding and unsafe driving practices on roadways across the state.
The operation yielded:
• 700 Traffic Citations
• 50 CMV Inspections
• 19 Arrests (5 Felony)
• 3 CMV Left Lane Citations
Ensuring the motoring public's safety, New Mexico State Police officers will continue to patrol roadways in all areas of the state throughout the year.
On Sunday, February 11, 2024, the New Mexico Senate unanimously confirmed W. Troy Weisler as the 23rd New Mexico State Police Chief.
“Chief Weisler has already demonstrated incredible leadership, and public safety will continue to be positively impacted with him at the helm,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
“Chief Weisler started as a recruit here in New Mexico in 2002 and worked his way up the ranks of the New Mexico State Police until his appointment last June. In the time I have gotten to work with him, I have found him to be incredibly open, and even in times when we may disagree, Chief Weisler has always been willing to work together to come to a place of common understanding,” said Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, who sponsored Chief Weisler. “As the leader of a state law enforcement of over 800 officers and support staff, having these skills and history in the department are crucial in building a culture of trust and transparency.”
"I am honored to continue serving the people of New Mexico by leading the agency I have devoted my entire career to," said Chief Weisler. "The New Mexico State Police have a proud history of service and tradition. I look forward to leading this agency into its next chapter as we continue to ensure public safety for all of the communities of our state.”
Chief Weisler began his career with the New Mexico State Police as a patrol officer in Deming in 2002 before transferring to Moriarty. He then served in various investigation, research and narcotics roles in Farmington, Albuquerque and Santa Fe. He has been serving as acting Chief since his appointment in May 2023 and was Deputy Chief since 2021.
Weisler holds a Master of Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University; Master of Public Administration, Justice Administration Specialization from Wayland Baptist University; and a Bachelor of Criminal Justice from New Mexico State University.
Under Chief Weisler, there was a 12.8% increase in arrests from 2022 to 2023.
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