New Mexico
Former New Mexico priest charged with sexual coercion of minor in text messages
SANTA FE, N.M. — A former Catholic priest with a lengthy career at parishes across New Mexico has been arrested on criminal charges of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity through text messages, federal law enforcement authorities announced Thursday.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI field office in Albuquerque said that Daniel Balizan of Springer, New Mexico, was arrested in connection with a grand jury indictment.
A redacted copy of the indictment accuses 61-year-old Balizan of knowingly attempting to coerce an unnamed minor into sexual activity in August and September 2012 in Santa Fe County.
The charges carry a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison upon conviction and up to a lifetime behind bars.
It was unclear whether Balizan had a legal representative. An initial court appearance was scheduled for Friday.
A timeline of Balizan’s church assignments from investigators show that he served at Santa Maria de la Paz Parish, starting in June 2012. Previous assignments include parishes in Raton, Albuquerque, Clovis, Chama and Socorro.
In a statement, the Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe said it received abuse allegations against Balizan in 2022 and promptly reported the information to authorities, leading to Balizan’s removal from service.
The diocese last year reached a $121.5 million agreement to settle nearly 400 claims made by people who say they were abused by Roman Catholic clergy.
In New Mexico, about 74 priests have been deemed “credibly accused” of sexually assaulting children while assigned to parishes and schools by the archdiocese, which covers central and northern New Mexico.
Welcome to the NMPreps.com weekly power rankings for New Mexico high school basketball. As the most up-to-date source for New Mexico high school athletics, we bring you the latest team rankings. Here are the rankings for the week of December 23rd-28th.
A winter storm will pass over Northern New Mexico and deliver some mountain snow on Christmas.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Dry and seasonably warm weather will continue through early next week.
A winter storm will bring light snow accumulations to the northern mountains Christmas Day and Night and most of the state will see an uptick in wind speeds.
Temperatures will drop a few degrees later in the week, but remain near to slightly above average.
Another weak winter storm could bring more mountain snow on Friday.
Meteorologist Brandon Richards has your full forecast in the video above.
PORTAL TRACKER
The Cowboys have gained some more transfer talent, this time adding to their rebuilding offensive line.
Louie Canepa, a 6-foout-4, 320-pound interior offensive lineman, is headed to Oklahoma State, according to a report. He spent the last three years at New Mexico State.
New Mexico State o-line transfer Louie Canepa is expected to transfer to Oklahoma State, @mzenitz and I have learned for @247Sports.
Canepa has played over 1,100 snaps the last two seasons with starts at both RT and RG.https://t.co/txsOShkxTz pic.twitter.com/2Z1iSiP0Hv
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) December 22, 2024
Canepa came to New Mexico State as the No. 15 OL prospect from his state, originally hailing from Vintage High School in Napa, California. He appeared in one game as a true freshman but by Year 2 he was instrumental in the Aggies turning in a 10-win season.
As a redshirt freshman in 2023, Canepa played in 14 of the Aggies’ 15 games, starting 10. New Mexico State ranked 14th in rushing yards per game, and made it to the Conference USA Championship Game. In 2024, he appeared in all 12 games and started four at right guard.
At New Mexico State, Canepa played under Andrew Mitchell, who was reportedly hired to coach OSU’s offensive line, along with Cooper Bassett.
Capena is the third offensive lineman the Cowboys have grabbed out of the portal thus far, joining Kasen Carpenter (Tulsa) and Lavaka Taukeiaho (Weber State). There’s a lot of rebuilding to be done in that room with 2024 starters Dalton Cooper, Cole Birmingham, Joe Michalski, Preston Wilson, Jake Springfield and Isaia Glass all leaving the program (the first five through eligibility and Glass through the portal).
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