New Mexico
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.
SANTA FE, N.M. — Former New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jim Ellison is running for governor as a Republican, he announced on social media Tuesday.
Ellison is running on affordability, opportunity and trust in government as the key points of his campaign. His experience includes serving on the NMPRC in 2023 and 2024.
“New Mexico deserves leadership that listens, acts, and delivers results. Our state has enormous potential, but too often that potential is held back by policies that don’t serve everyday New Mexicans,” he said on his website. “I’m running to bring practical solutions, honest accountability, and a renewed focus on the public interest.”
A Georgia native, Ellison has lived in New Mexico for 20 years and currently lives in the Albuquerque area with his wife and two children.
Ellison is aiming to get 5,000 signatures by Feb. 2, to appear on the primary ballot with at least three other Republicans who have announced their candidacy.
Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez announced his campaign in December and recently confirmed to KOB 4 that he received enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and New Mexico State Sen. Steve Lanier are also running.
Three Democrats are running – Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A successful University of New Mexico Lobo athletics season and the athletics director’s departure has culminated in players and coaches making moves.
The moves follow a successful 2025 season and the departure of athletics director Fernando Lovo.
Running back coach John Johnson, special teams coordinator Daniel Da Prato and wide receiver coach Colin Lockett are all leaving the Lobos after just one season. Johnson is headed to Iowa State while Da Prato is expected to join Minnesota and Lockett is headed to UCLA, all for the same jobs.
Johnson’s Lobo running backs ran for more than 1,400 yards. Da Prato’s special teams finished top-five nationally in kickoff returns.
Running back D.J. McKinney entered the portal, he confirmed on social media the day the portal officially opened. McKinney rushed for 464 yards and seven touchdowns with the Lobos.
Two players who received all-Mountain West Conference recognition also made moves. All-Mountain West tight-end Dorian Thomas, who caught for touchdowns for the Lobos, entered the portal. Meanwhile, all-Mountain West honorable mention punter Daniel Hughes is set to leave.
Others set to leave include:
- Cole Welliver, backup quarterback who played in one game
- Landon Williams, defensive end who graduated from La Cueva High School
- Randolph Kpai, senior linebacker who is at the end of his college football career without a waiver
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