New Mexico

New Mexico judge denies Meta’s request to dismiss lawsuit

Published

2 years ago

June 1, 2024

New Mexico judge denies Meta’s request to dismiss lawsuit

A Santa Fe judge shot down a motion from Meta to dismiss a sweeping lawsuit filed by the New Mexico Department of Justice.

SANTA FE, N.M. – A Santa Fe judge shot down a motion from Meta – the company behind Facebook and Instagram – to dismiss a sweeping lawsuit filed by the New Mexico Department of Justice.

Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed that lawsuit late last year, alleging Meta knowingly exposes children on its platforms to sexual exploitation. The lawsuit says it isn’t doing enough to protect those children from predators.

This is not the first time Meta has faced these accusations or even lawsuits. But it is one of the first to survive the company’s countermeasures.

“I just think it sends a signal. New Mexico is small but mighty,” said New Mexico Deputy Attorney General Julie Ann Meade.

Meade is one of the lead prosecutors challenging the largest social media company in the world to do better.

“The lawsuit is alleging that through Meta’s decisions and design and features, is creating an online environment that causes harm,” said Meade.

While previous lawsuits against Meta revolved around mental health, the New Mexico Department of Justice is focused on the sexual exploitation of children.

“New Mexico decided to take a look at this and conducted some investigations, which revealed real issues around child pornography, and child trafficking,” Meade said.

The lawsuit argues Facebook and Instagram are, “A breeding ground for predators who target children for human trafficking, the distribution of sexual images, grooming and solicitation.” Despite company policies and statements insisting they are safe for children.

According to the lawsuit, Department of Justice investigators set up several fake profiles of children and discovered the platform’s algorithms regularly exposed those accounts to sexual content and potential predators.

The suit argues Meta knows that’s happening and is making money off it through targeted ads. That’s where the DOJ is sinking its teeth.

“We are raising these claims against Meta based on their design and features, not on third party content, and so that’s the distinction,” said Meade.

Despite multiple attempts from Meta to dismiss the lawsuit, a Santa Fe judge is allowing it to move forward in state court.

“It’s impactful because that means there’s clear indication that there is harm directly here in New Mexico,” Meade said.

Meade says the end goal is forcing Meta to implement the guardrails many users already believe exist.

“The end goal would be to effectuate change in how these online platforms work, and make sure that they’re the design features are continuing to consider what really needs to be in place to protect children’s mental well-being, physical well-being and health and welfare,” said Meade.

KOB 4 reached out to Meta for a comment Friday and did not hear back. The judge did allow a motion to remove Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg from the lawsuit.

Meade says both sides are now heading into the evidence collecting phase, but it’s not clear when this case will come before a judge again.

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New Mexico

Debate rages on oilfield wastewater in New Mexico – Carlsbad Current-Argus

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Debate rages on oilfield wastewater in New Mexico – Carlsbad Current-Argus

A pump jack operates in Carlsbad. File photo

Adrian HeddenCarlsbad Current-Argusachedden@currentargus.com Wastewater from oil and gas drilling could be reused by other industries next year, if a state body acts despite criticism from…

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New Mexico

Family clarifies why they believe missing New Mexico man is dead

Published

17 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Family clarifies why they believe missing New Mexico man is dead

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – KRQE News 13 has learned more about the disappearance of 36-year-old Joel “Deano” Valdez, and why, nearly three months after he went missing, his family believes he is dead. Valdez went missing on September 18, on his way home after a job on the other end of the state. After weeks of searching, on Monday night, Valdez’s family announced their loved one was dead, but did not provide information to support their claim.

On Tuesday, the family issued a follow-up statement saying they hired a private investigator who obtained interviews from several people who confirmed Valdez’s death. They said that Valdez, a Marine vet and father of three, was headed from Silver City to Coyote back in September but had stopped at a Santa Fe gas station before he vanished.

Media reports described an incident where Valdez may have been preyed upon in his white Chevy Silverado pickup truck. Valdez’s family believes that “something nefarious happened” to him, leading to his demise. Bank statements show Valdez stopped at a gas station and an ATM in Santa Fe before he vanished. His family also said that his credit cards were used by someone else after he went missing.

In the statement released Tuesday, the family said in part, “Waiting for his remains to be found makes it difficult to start the grieving process.

Monday night, a family member said, “To go so long without answers has been heart-wrenching and heartbreaking for all of us. We still don’t have all the answers and hope to one day have some clarity and peace.”

KRQE News 13 asked the Santa Fe Police Department about the incident. They said on the day that Valdez went missing, they received a 911 call about three people breaking into a white pickup truck. The caller said they heard someone inside the truck yelling for help. Before they arrived, Santa Fe police officers were diverted to a higher-priority call.

According to police records, when an officer finally arrived at the scene 45 minutes later, there was nothing to report. KRQE News 13 is cautioning viewers that it is not clear if the 911 incident had anything to do with Valdez or his pickup truck.

New Mexico State Police are in charge of the investigation, and they told KRQE News 13 they are still treating Valdez as a missing persons case.

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New Mexico

New Mexico Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Day results for Dec. 15, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

The New Mexico Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 15, 2025, results for each game:

Powerball

23-35-59-63-68, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

Day: 2-3-6

Evening: 4-5-5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Lotto America

08-11-29-36-50, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Evening: 2-5-0-2

Day: 7-2-1-6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Roadrunner Cash

01-12-17-26-29

Check Roadrunner Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Powerball Double Play

20-23-38-42-65, Powerball: 19

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Las Cruces Sun-News editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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