1-16-2025 10:00pm

New Mexico State Police Recent Noteworthy Arrests

Chris Edwards Editor

The New Mexico State Police have issued releases of the following arrests:

On January 10th, 2025, New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents were called to 6 Sylvia Road to investigate a homicide.

Agents learned that at approximately 8:00 p.m. Jonathan Gonzales (24) and Christopher Brannan (26) were involved in an altercation. At some point, Brannan shot Gonzales in the chest and fled the scene. Gonzales was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Later that evening, Brannan turned himself in to authorities. He was booked into the Socorro County Detention Center and charged with Murder in the First Degree.

The details that led up to this incident are still under investigation by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau.

And in another incident the New Mexico State Police have released details that; in February of 2020 New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau began investigating a case involving Reynaldo Sandoval. Sandoval was accused of raping a family member at an Albuquerque cemetery. Ultimately, the investigation led NMSP Agents to charge Sandoval with the following:

30-9-11(D)(1) Criminal Sexual Penetration in the First Degree (Child Under 13)
30-9-11(D)(1) Criminal Sexual Penetration in the First Degree (Child Under 13)
30-9-11(D)(1) Criminal Sexual Penetration in the First Degree (Child Under 13)
30-9-13(B)(1) Criminal sexual contact / minor 2nd degree (Child under 13)(unclothed)
30-24-3 Bribery of a Witness (Threats or Bribes - Reporting)
30-6-3 & 31-18-15 Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
The case went to trial on Wednesday, October 30th, 2024. In less than twenty minutes, the jury found Sandoval guilty on all charges.

On January 14th, 2025, Sandoval was sentenced to 57 years in prison.

New Mexico State Police remains committed to ensuring the safety of New Mexicans by enforcing the law and upholding the principles of justice to keep our communities safer.