Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press

Several Carlsbad area murder suspects could stand trial this year in Eddy County District Court.

All defendants in criminal cases are considered innocent of the charges against them until proven guilty as determined by a 12-person jury or through a plea deal with prosecutors.

Here are the top Eddy County criminal trials to watch in 2026.

Alexee Trevizo – 1st-degree murder

Trevizo was accused of murder in the January 2023 death of her newborn son at Artesia General Hospital. Police said Trevizo gave birth to the child in a bathroom at the hospital, then put him in a trash can where the child suffocated.

She was charged with first-degree murder on Jan. 27, 2023, and was released from custody ahead of the trial to attend her high school graduation and visit family in New Mexico.

The criminal case was delayed after former Judge Jane Shuler Gray ruled police body camera footage taken at the hospital and allegedly showing Trevizo confessing to a doctor that she killed her son was inadmissible.

In her ruling, Shuler Gray wrote that Trevizo’s statements in her hospital room were protected by doctor-patient privilege. The Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office appealed the ruling to the New Mexico Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments on the matter Sept. 4, 2025.

The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the evidence.

Jayden Mendibles – child abuse resulting in death

Mendibles’ 3-month-old daughter was found dead at the defendant’s home in November 2023, and police accused him several months later of beating her to death.

Mendibles, 23, of Artesia was arrested on June 21, 2024, and charged with a single count of child abuse resulting in death.

He initially told police the child suffered from fatal brain injuries after falling off a bed, but an autopsy of the infant listed “blunt force trauma” and homicide as the cause of death.

Prosecutors withdrew a motion to hold Mendibles in custody ahead of trial but he failed to appear in a subsequent hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest on Oct. 31, 2025.

He was not in custody as of Wednesday, Dec. 31, and was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 12 before District Judge David Finger.

Manuel Sanchez – 1st-degree murder

Sanchez, 44, was charged in 2020 with shooting and killing 42-year-old Brian Runnels then burying his body in a remote area of Eddy County in 2014.

Runnels was reported missing for six years, until the case was reopened in 2020. Investigators relied on the confession of co-defendant Brett Roark, 48, who said he witnessed Sanchez shoot Runnels and helped him bury the body.

Roark was also charged with murder but pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in a deal with the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office and was sentenced to seven years in prison. The prison time was suspended by the court, and Roark was released to a halfway house.

A jury failed to reach a verdict in Sanchez’s trial on Oct. 23, 2023, and a new trial is scheduled for Feb. 9 before District Judge Eileen Riordan.

Manuel Guillen – child abuse resulting in death

Two-month-old Khalanie Sue Moreno was found dead Sept. 7, 2024, in a shallow grave dug in a remote area off State Road 137, also known as the Queen Highway, in Eddy County.

The girl’s mother Brianna Stallings, 25, and her boyfriend Manuel Guillen, 32, were arrested after a months-long investigation into the death when Stallings confessed the child was smothered by Guillen.

Stallings said Guillen purposefully sat on the child to stop her from crying, contradicting her initial story that she accidentally rolled on top of the baby while the three of them slept in a car near the burial site.

Stallings told police the couple “panicked,” according to a criminal complaint, and buried the body nearby. She was charged with a single count of tampering with evidence.

An October 2025 jury trial for Guillen was continued and he was slated for a pretrial conference on Jan. 12. Stallings was charged with tampering with evidence and scheduled for a jury trial on May 1.

Leonard Tidwell – 1st-degree murder

Tidwell, 34, was originally charged with two counts of aggravated battery and possession of a firearm by a felon on Sept. 12.

On that day, at about 12:12 a.m., police found 39-year-old Carlos Montoya suffering from stab wounds at an apartment in the 800 block of McKay Street in Carlsbad. Montoya died at the hospital on Oct. 22 from his wounds, and Tidwell’s charges were upgraded to murder.

Tidwell was arraigned Nov. 24 and scheduled for a jury trial on July 1 before District Judge David Finger.

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

 Some familiar names could return to the Artesia City Council and a new mayor will take office after the March 3 municipal elections.

Tuesday was filing day for candidates seeking office in city government as candidates turned in paperwork with the Artesia city clerk’s office to secure places on the ballot.

District 3 councilor and current mayor pro tem Jeff Youtsey filed to replace outgoing mayor and State Rep. Jonathan Henry as did Terrance L. Todd, former site director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia.

Youtsey, who ran unsuccessfully against Henry in 2022, said his 14 years as a member of the city council have prepared him to lead Artesia for the next four years.

“I understand the budget, I understand how the city works and I feel I’m the most qualified to take up the reigns and finish up some projects that we’ve begun that are very important and I feel like I have the knowledge and the tenacity for it and I’m ready to hit the ground running,” he said in an interview after submitting his paperwork to City Clerk Summer Valverde.

Council seats in Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 are on the ballot. All the candidates are seeking four-year terms except District 4 incumbent Michael Bunt, who is running to serve the final two years of a vacancy he was appointed to fill. No other candidate filed for the seat.

District 4’s other incumbent, Dickie Townley, is not seeking reelection. Two candidates filed for the post, former councilor Terry L. Hill and Charles Morgan Wagner II.

In District 1, longtime councilor Raul Rodriguez filed for reelection. No candidate filed to oppose him.

In District 2, incumbent George Mullen chose not to seek another term. Donovan Jacob Garcia, Nathan Norman Ryno and Joseph W. Wright filed to replace Mullen.

District 3 incumbent Wade Nelson decided not to run for a second term. Former District 3 representative Allen K. Bratcher filed to regain the seat he relinquished to mount an unsuccessful campaign for mayor in 2022.

The city clerk’s office still must verify the candidates’ paperwork before their names are officially placed on the ballot. Valverde said she expects the verifications to be completed by Jan. 9.

Other important election information

The last day for a candidate to withdraw from the election is Jan. 13, according to New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver.

Write-in candidates will be accepted until Jan. 13.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 extension-2361.

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

As Artesia rolls in 2026, community leaders such as longtime City Councilor Raul Rodriguez are pondering the city’s future and setting goals for the new year.

Rodriguez, who has served the residents of District 1 for 24 years, said things are looking bright for Artesia with ongoing infrastructure projects and increased business activity.

“I hope not to slow the process down (and) to continue at a steady pace and to finish the projects that we’ve got going on,” he said.

Rodriguez said finishing up construction work on 26th street along with remodeling the former Artesia Police station at 702 W. Chisum Ave. and the current Artesia City Hall at 511 W. Texas Ave. are some of the major projects the city is working on this year.

“We have a bright future ahead of us,” Rodriguez said. “We are also looking at housing projects for the future. We’re trying to entice more businesses to come into the city.”

With the pursuit of fossil fuels continuing unabated in the Permian Basin of southeast New Mexico, Rodriguez said, Artesia has developed a progressive attitude when it comes to growth and meeting the demands of an increased population.

“Being progressive makes you want things to get done and it’s going to help the economy,” he said. “Just think, the future of technology, the future of everything is going to get larger and expand and we need to grow into it.”

Hayley Klein, Artesia’s brand-new city administrator, agreed with Rodriguez and added city government was pushing toward efficiency in local government.

“A smooth transition of responsibilities to a new administration will be at the top of the list. The newly created city administrator position is designed to help the administration meet its goals, work with the community, and represent the city’s interests around the state,” she said.

Klein said the community was on track to have a successful 2026 and looked forward to collaborating with community partners and citizens.

Artesia Police Chief Kirk Roberts said crime has decreased in the community since 2021. He is looking for that trend to continue this year.

For State Sen. James Townsend (R-34), protecting jobs and creating additional employment for future generations are top priorities in 2026.

Townsend said funding public safety and helping area schools will be among the challenges facing the New Mexico Legislature in its upcoming session starting Jan. 20.

“We are blessed in southeast New Mexico with natural resources, great companies and caring educators and dedicated law enforcement officers,” he said in an email. “One of our jobs as legislators is to listen to them and help them succeed.”

Tommy Salsberry, general manager of the Spark by Hilton hotel at 203 North Second Street, says helping his family thrive and the hospitality industry grow are among his goals for this year.

“I get a great joy of being able to provide and be available for my family, whether its financially or motivationally,” he said. “Whether it’s immediate family or friends, I want to be able to be there.”

Salsberry has spent 10 years in the hospitality industry and has served as general manager at the Spark by Hilton for 10 months.

He’s hoping for growth not only at the Spark but for Artesia’s hospitality industry in general.

Stayce Smith, a popular radio personality who can be heard on KWMW 105.1 FM, said extra music is not the only item her 2026 to-do list. One big resolution: complimenting one person every day. Another: compiling her official “bucket list,”

“Even if I know I will never complete many of them the dreaming about it part can be almost just as fun,” she said. “I am also going to make sure I smile more than I frown and eat at least one green thing a week,” she said.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 extension-2361.

Staff reports

John Caraway announced his candidacy for the office of Eddy County Probate Judge.

Caraway previously served two four-year terms as Probate Judge from 2011-2018.

He will be on the ballot for the Nov. 3 general election, hoping to replace Jay Francis who is term limited after serving two terms.

Probate judges preside over issues such as will execution, validating and appointing executors, along with conflicts that may arise between beneficiaries.

“My experience in previously serving as probate judge will be of benefit to the citizens of Eddy County,” Caraway said in his announcement of candidacy.

“As judge I was sensitive to those in need in difficult times following the death of a relative or loved one. My prior experience of practicing probate and estate law additionally equips me to perform my function of presiding over different estate matters.”

He also noted a penchant for helping train new judges during his previous term in office.

“My previous terms in office also included the teaching and instruction of my fellow Probate Judges during our required annual training,” Caraway said.

Anyone with questions related to my candidacy may reach out to Caraway at johncaraway@yahoo.com.

Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press

A former state energy official announced his intention to enter a crowded field of Republicans seeking their party’s nomination in New Mexico’s 2026 gubernatorial election.

James Ellison, who served as a commissioner on the Public Regulation Commission in 2023 and 2024 said Tuesday he intended to run for governor, hoping GOP voters will select him as the nominee in the June primary.

The commission regulates New Mexico utility services, enacting and enforcing policy for sectors such as electricity, telecommunications and the motor carrier industry, according to the commission’s website.

If successful, Ellison would take on the Democratic Party’s nominee as both parties look to replace term-limited Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who was first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022.

A new governor will be chosen in the Nov. 3 general election.

Joining Ellison in seeking the GOP nomination, according to the New Mexico Office of the Secretary of State, are former state senator Steve Lanier; Rio Rancho Mayor Greggory Hull; Duke Rodriguez, chief executive officer of cannabis company Ultra Health; and Farmington resident Brian Cillessen.

On the Democrats’ side of the primary, former Interior Secretary and Congresswoman Deb Haaland is running for governor along with Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman and former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.

Candidates for statewide offices have until Feb. 3 to officially declare their candidacy and submit the required signatures on their nominating petition. Candidates for governor must have enough signatures to equal 2% of their party’s total vote in the last gubernatorial election.

Haaland had raised the most money of any candidate, Republican or Democrat, with $6.9 million in contributions and about $4.1 million in expenditures as of the latest deadline – Oct. 14 – for filing campaign finance reports, according to the Office of the Secretary of State.

Bregman was second with $3.2 million raised and $1.6 million spent, read the report, followed by Hull with $337,295 raised and $129,05 spent, and Miyagishima with $323,696 in contributions and $58,284 spent.

Ellison and Cillessen had yet to report any fundraising or expenditures as of Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Democrats’ edge in fundraising was in line with the party’s control of New Mexico’s government, as it held legislative majorities both in the House and Senate.

In the 2024 presidential election 52% of New Mexicans voted for the Democratic candidate, former Vice President Kamala Harris. Republican Donald Trump trailed Harris with 46% of the vote in New Mexico but won his second term as president with a 312-226 majority in the Electoral College. He also outpolled Harris in the nationwide popular vote.

Ellison pointed to economic woes he said were plaguing New Mexico, which he said could lead to more voters going against the state’s Democrat leadership.

Specifically, he criticized the state government’s efforts to increase restrictions on fossil fuel production and prop up renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, despite being the nation’s second-biggest oil producer.

“Over the next ten years, electric rates will double or triple if our state continues down this path of becoming another California,” Ellison said in a statement announcing his candidacy. “At a time when affordability is on the ballot, the reality is that Democrat-led energy policies are making life less affordable for New Mexicans.”

Ellison also pointed to higher electrical costs he said were linked to the state’s construction of transmission lines that “export our wind power to Mexico with no benefit to New Mexico.”

Improving educational outcomes for the state’s children and attracting new businesses are also crucial to the state’s success, Ellison said.

“We need a leader with vision to reverse course before it is too late, and to help our state reach its potential,” he said.

Democratic front-runner Haaland, who announced her candidacy in February 2025, recently held an energy- and climate-oriented town hall meeting in Albuquerque where she said she planned to recruit more renewable energy projects to the state and curb air pollution emissions from fossil fuel production.

During the Dec. 4 event, Haaland pointed to catastrophic fires that struck Ruidoso in June 2024, followed by destructive flooding last spring, calling for policies that could prevent such “extreme” weather events.

“As Governor, I’ll work toward bold, decisive, and strategic policies that will address each community’s unique needs, protect New Mexicans from extreme heat, update our infrastructure, promote healthy communities, and lower energy costs in the face of the new climate reality,” Haaland said in a statement following the town hall.

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.