New Mexico
New Mexico State Auditor orders special audit of Doña Ana County and Sheriff’s Office
The New Mexico Office of the State Auditor initiated a special audit of Doña Ana County and the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office as the relationship between the two entities has frayed in recent months.
“The apparent lack of trust amongst County departments and staff is highly disconcerting to me and the situation appears to be at an impasse,” read a letter from the office of State Auditor Joseph Maestas.
“Consequently, all allegations of potential waste and abuse of public resources and funds, including any potential violations of laws, regulations, rules, policies and procedures in connection with the operation of the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, to include DASO’s interactions with other County departments, elected County officials, County administrative leadership, and County staff must be fully examined and reported without any delay or avoidance,” an April 14, 2025, designation letter from the OSA to county leadership read.
In February 2025, the Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners approved an external audit of DASO that was prompted by a petition filed by the county against Sheriff Kim Stewart, who refused to commission recent academy graduates as deputies.
The State Auditor’s office will provide oversight of the audit, at the request of both Stewart and the county, according to Maestas.
In an email sent Feb. 11, Stewart said she would not commission the cadets because she lacked the power to decommission, according to emails obtained by the Sun-News. In a Facebook post, Stewart recounted events from her perspective and also said the county’s human resources department informed her that several cadets did not pass their psychological exams.
In addition to the possibility of waste and abuse and a lack of communication and trust between the county and DASO, the designation letter also referenced a potential legal risk. There are several cases filed against the county and the sheriff for violations of the Whistleblower Protection Act, with the most recent filed by one of the deputies Stewart intended to decommission.
“After multiple requests, I was told the sheriff would not meet with anyone from county management, so I am left to put together the pieces of information that I have available,” County Attorney Cari Neill said during a presentation of legal proceedings of the writ in February. “And what appears to me to be happening is misdirection, smoke screens, confusion and deflection. Is it possible that HR got some pieces wrong? Of course. Is it also possible that the full blame is being placed on HR when HR was not fully to blame? Of course.”
While communication between the county and DASO appears to have broken down, Stewart seemingly agrees with an external audit in a March 13, 2025 letter to his office, but asking for oversight, “so that DASO and I may be treated fairly and equally.”
“Sheriff Stewart was first out of the shoot with a letter to us, basically outlining some of her areas of concern,” Maestas said. “She has issues with certain actions by human resources, and certain issues with the county legal counsel.
“She was very forceful in her letter. She did outline some of her concerns.”
Stewart did not respond to a request for comment by the Sun-News.
Maestas described the special audit as an opportunity to establish a pause in the trading of allegations between the involved parties.
“We are dealing with public safety here in a fairly large and significant county,” Maestas said. “I think it’s incumbent on all of the elected officials involved to demonstrate professionalism, tact and diplomacy in working together and establishing a good effective working relationship.
“If they don’t then the voters are going to take notice and say we elected folks that are just incapable of doing that. To avoid risking the wrath of voters, I’m confident in the county commission and administration, as well as the sheriff’s office will work together.”
The county also sent a letter to the auditor’s office requesting the state’s involvement, Maestas said.
“I’m looking forward to the audit and seeing what an auditor may find for opportunities for improvement and things where we have performed well,” District 5 Commissioner Manuel Sanchez said. “It will give us an opportunity to correct those issues and hopefully create a more productive relationship between county elected officials, the county administration and departments and DASO.
“My belief is that during an audit, they are trying to test and look at how strong our processes are and if you find something, it gives you a chance to get better and fix it. My concern is if you find the same issues year after year.”
The county will bear the cost of the audit and will be required to secure an independent public accountant from the state’s approved firm list to perform the audit.
Maestas said a special audit could normally take up to a year to complete, but he hopes to finish this particular audit sooner. The first meeting between the parties to determine to scope of the audit is scheduled for April 21, 2025.
“Part of the rebuilding of the bridge between Sheriff Stewart’s office and the county commission and county administration is jointly working on the scope of this audit,” Maestas said. “That way both sides are confident that their concerns will be addressed.”
New Mexico
Great New Mexico Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival happening this weekend
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Great New Mexico Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival returns to Balloon Fiesta Park this weekend.
Teppanyaki King is among the newer trucks on the menu.
General Manager said the Albuquerque food truck has been open for about six months and will make its second festival appearance this weekend.
Pacheco showed off several dishes and said one of the truck’s best sellers is “lobster and filet mignon.”
Pacheco said the team wanted to bring something different to Albuquerque because “there’s taco trucks everywhere, you know, and we wanted to bring something completely different to Albuquerque so people can experience restaurant-style cooking, but on the streets.”
He said the truck has about 7 to 10 pounds of filet mignon stocked ahead of the event and full refrigerators as the team prepares for the crowd.
Teppanyaki King also serves daily in Albuquerque near San Antonio and Louisiana, Pacheco said.
People can buy tickets online ahead of time, with a pre-sale discount available if they buy them before the event. Special VIP and beer lover packages are also available.
The festival is happening on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. VIP tickets can get in an hour earlier.
New Mexico
Human remains found in Santa Fe are those of Joel ‘Deano’ Valdez
SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico State Police say human remains found in Santa Fe County are missing man Joel “Deano” Valdez.
State police said the update came after someone walking a dog found human remains on Caja del Rio Road on April 12.
Through coordination with the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI), state police said investigators positively identified the remains as Valdez.
The cause and manner of death have not yet been determined. OMI will conduct further anthropological examination.
Valdez was reported missing on Sept. 21, 2025, after he did not return home to Coyote after work in Silver City, according to New Mexico State Police.
State police said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The family of Joel “Deano” Valdez sent the following statement:
“We confirm that the remains of Joel “Deano” Valdez have been located. While this development marks a profoundly difficult moment for the family, it brings a measure of closure to a long and painful period of uncertainty that began last September, when he disappeared.
At this time, there are significantly more questions than answers. The circumstances surrounding Deano’s disappearance and death remain under active investigation, and we will not speculate or comment beyond confirmed facts.
The family is seeking clarity and accountability and is committed to allowing the appropriateauthorities the time and space necessary to conduct a thorough and careful investigation. Through counsel, the family is closely monitoring all developments and will pursue every appropriate avenue to ensure that the facts are fully uncovered.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the tremendous support,
encouragement, and prayers they have received over the past seven months. They are deeply thankful to all who have sacrificed their time and effort in the search for Deano. The family also extends its appreciation to the individuals and agencies who have contributed to the ongoing investigation and commitment to getting answers.
Additionally, they extend their sincere gratitude to all those who have supported and remained invested in Deano’s story. The family deeply appreciates the outpouring of support from both the online community and the media. They understand that many are awaiting answers and assure that updates will be shared when appropriate and available.
The family respectfully requests privacy as they process this devastating news. They ask the public and the media to honor their need for space and dignity during this period of mourning.
May Deano rest in peace.”
Anyone with information related to the case can contact New Mexico State Police at 505-841-9256.
New Mexico
Settlement could make EpiPen cheaper, more accessible in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. — A new settlement between the State of New Mexico and the maker of EpiPen is expected to make the EpiPen more accessible and affordable in the state.
Drugmaker Mylan, Inc., agreed to pay $2.25 million to the state. It’ll resolve claims that they engaged in unfair and anticompetitive practices related to its products that are used for emergency allergic reactions.
As a part of the settlement, the company doesn’t have to admit any wrongdoing to those practices. However, they will have to do the following:
- Increase copay coupons from $25 to $40.
- People can get $40 off instead of $25.
- Donate 10,000 more EpiPens to the state for distribution.
- 1,000 two-packs per year for five years, starting this year.
- State will distribute as they see fit.
- Increase awareness of EpiPen’s school program and how to enroll.
- Program provides free EpiPen devices to schools.
- Participation in New Mexico is among the lowest in the nation.
- Around 10% of schools participate.
- Participation in New Mexico is among the lowest in the nation.
- Program provides free EpiPen devices to schools.
“This settlement serves as an important protection for New Mexico consumers and families who depend on affordable access to life-saving epinephrine products,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “The New Mexico Department of Justice will continue to fight for fair pricing and transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. We look forward to working with Mylan to raise public awareness of the relief this settlement provides.”
The State accused Mylan of violating consumer protection and antitrust statutes with its business and pricing practices. That includes general delay tactic, patent litigation strategies, marketing practices and pricing decisions.
The $2.25 million to settle those claims will go to the state to support investigation costs, programs, personnel, training and “urgent health care needs.”
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