95 Arrests, Judge Orders No-Bond Hold for Heather Croom as 2026 Legislative Session Looms with Crime Reforms

In a ruling that has brought a wave of relief to residents and business owners in Las Cruces, Third Judicial District Judge Conrad F. Perea ordered Heather Croom, a woman with an astonishing 95 arrests on her record, to be held without bond pending trial. The decision, announced Friday, stems from Croom’s latest charge of battery on a health care worker and highlights her years-long pattern of disruptive and dangerous behavior plaguing the community.

District Attorney Fernando R. Macias described Croom as “among the most prolific offenders cycling in and out of the detention system.” He praised the court’s order as a critical step toward protecting victims, first responders, and the public from repeat offenders who too often return to the streets without adequate intervention.

Over the years, Croom’s alleged actions have escalated from disturbing to outright threatening. Reports detail repeated incidents of public indecency, including exposing herself in public spaces, as well as vandalizing property by smearing feces on business windows. She has also been accused of violent outbursts, attacking community members and harassing customers entering local shops.

The impact on Las Cruces’ business community has been profound. Dozens of local owners attended the detention hearing, many taking the stand to share firsthand accounts of the fear and disruption caused by Croom’s behavior. Terry Stewart, owner of a local hair salon, testified about the toll these incidents have taken on employees and customers alike.

“We’re glad we are addressing this issue we have had with this person for so long and we are making progress towards getting her the help she needs,” Stewart said following the hearing.

Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story echoed the sentiment of gratitude and cautious optimism. “Heather Croom has been arrested 95 times, but officers and the community can breathe a little easier now,” Story stated. He extended thanks to the district attorney’s office, testifying business owners, and Judge Perea, while noting that more work remains to ensure Croom receives necessary treatment and ceases to harm the community.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Spencer Willson commended the judge for acknowledging the real-world consequences of Croom’s actions. “Today’s decision shows that the judiciary understands the real and ongoing impact this behavior has had on our business community and is willing to take meaningful action to address it,” Willson said.

The ruling comes amid broader discussions in Las Cruces and across the state about handling repeat offenders, particularly those struggling with potential mental health or addiction issues. Advocates and officials alike hope this case signals a shift toward balancing public safety with pathways to rehabilitation.

State-Level Considerations for Repeat Offenders in New Mexico’s 2026 Legislative Session

The New Mexico Legislature is set to convene on January 20, 2026, for a 30-day session primarily focused on fiscal matters (budget and taxes). However, public safety—including handling repeat offenders, pretrial detention, and issues tied to mental health and addiction—remains a high-priority topic statewide, building on reforms from recent years.

While specific bills for 2026 have not yet been pre-filed (as of December 12, 2025), ongoing discussions and political pressure indicate several key areas under consideration:

1. A Push for Tougher Crime Measures

• On December 8, 2025, New Mexico  legislators sent a letter to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham urging her to include comprehensive public safety reforms on the 2026 agenda.

• They criticized perceived leniency in the Democratic-controlled Legislature and called for “commonsense solutions” to the state’s “crime epidemic.”

• A related GOP task force released a 35-page report, “A State in Crisis: Confronting New Mexico’s Crime Epidemic and Restoring Public Safety,” outlining legislative priorities. These likely include:

• Stricter pretrial detention rules for repeat offenders.

• Enhanced penalties for recidivism.

• Measures to close “revolving door” loopholes in the justice system.

• A spokesperson for the governor confirmed that public safety will be on the call for the 2026 session.

2. Continuing Reforms from Prior Sessions

• Recent laws (e.g., from 2024–2025) addressed repeat offenders directly:

• Senate Bill 271 (2024): Requires detention (pending a hearing) for defendants on pretrial release for a felony who are arrested for a new felony—often called the “Repeat Felony Offender No Bond Hold” law.

• Criminal competency reforms: Community-based treatment for non-violent incompetent defendants, but secure commitment for violent ones; aimed at reducing dismissals (over 18,000 charges dismissed since 2017 due to competency issues).

• Increased penalties for repeat auto theft and fentanyl trafficking.

• Proposals in 2026 may seek to expand or strengthen these, such as rebuttable presumptions of danger for certain repeat offenses or better tracking of offender data.

3. Balancing Public Safety with Mental Health and Rehabilitation

• Many repeat offender cases in New Mexico involve behavioral health challenges. Advocates and officials emphasize pathways to treatment alongside accountability.

• Potential focus areas:

• Expanding assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) programs statewide (currently piloted in places like Doña Ana County).

• Increased funding for medication-assisted treatment in jails and community-based restoration programs.

• Proposals for involuntary commitment or compelled treatment in severe cases, while addressing gaps where defendants are released without intervention due to competency findings.

• Gov. Lujan Grisham has prioritized behavioral health resources in recent budgets and special sessions, and this is expected to continue.

4. Broader Context and Challenges

• Public safety has been a recurring theme in Gov. Lujan Grisham’s agenda, including special sessions in prior years on related issues like panhandling, gun violence, and competency.

• Critics (including law enforcement like Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story) highlight the need for more tools to handle prolific offenders with mental health issues.

• Any new bills would need gubernatorial support or bipartisan backing to advance in the short session.

As the session approaches, pre-filed bills will appear on the New Mexico Legislature website (nmlegis.gov). Developments in Las Cruces cases, like Heather Croom’s, underscore the urgency of these statewide debates, with hopes for legislation that enhances community protection while providing meaningful rehabilitation for those struggling with addiction or mental illness.

For now, the streets of Las Cruces feel a bit safer, as one of the city’s most persistent challenges remains behind bars awaiting trial.

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