Issues with the evidence room came to light after the department discovered it lost evidence in the 2017 Selena Valencia murder case. January 11, 2020 The Santa Fe Police Department's evidence room is understaffed, its employees are undertrained, items are held in no logical order and at least one area is secured with only a $10 Master Lock, accord...

In December,  Capt Romero found $144 in crumpled cash while searching Hernandez's desk in his office; Romero was looking for drug paraphernalia that had gone missing in an unrelated case. January 14, 2020 CLOVIS, N.M. — A Clovis police detective has been charged with embezzling $166 from a man he arrested in June. Francisco Hernandez, 33, face...

Karr pawned four department weapons. January 17, 2020 BOSWELL, Okla. (KXII) - A Boswell, Oklahoma, police officer was arrested Monday accused of pawning department firearms. The Oklahoma State Bureau Of Investigation tells us an investigation last month revealed Shawn Karr pawned four department weapons. The 33-year-old was arrested Monday at Boswe...

Jennifer Burrill, vice president of the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, said a third-party audit is a step in the right direction for the department. January 4, 2020 More than six months after the Santa Fe Police Department told the District Attorney's Office it had lost evidence in a first-degree murder case, it's still unknown ho...

Victim, family were staying in an Arlington hotel after recently moving to North Texas from England December 14, 2019 Fort Worth police say they've solved the decades-old cold case murder of an 11-year-old girl using DNA phenotyping. On June 27, 1983, Julie Fuller was reported missing after she'd gone to take out the trash at the Kensington Motel i...

When a police department's evidence room needs to be audited because procedures weren't being followed, there ought to be hell to pay. Enter Article DATE HERE Here's the problem with the criminal justice system: What looks simple from the outside is never so cut and dried from within. That's what police, prosecutors and the judiciary tell (and...

Enter Headline here November 15, 2019 ACHILLE, Okla. (KXII) - Former Achille Mayor David Northcutt pleaded guilty to a federal charge after selling stolen firearms across state lines. An indictment says in March the 42-year-old knowingly possessed, concealed, bartered and disposed of stolen weapons across state lines. An affidavit says after the po...

As genetic genealogy websites become more popular and individuals continue to voluntarily submit their DNA or enter their genetic profiles onto publically available genetic genealogy sites, the more biological information there is to compare with DNA samples from crime scenes. September 24, 2019 The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) this week releas...

Vialpando said there was a lack of consistency in keeping track of the chain of custody of certain evidence and that some pieces of evidence were labeled with the wrong case numbers. September 27, 2019 SANTA FE — A Santa Fe District Court judge on Friday denied a defense motion to dismiss a murder case, despite the Santa Fe Police Department losing...

Noriega wants the police department to be held accountable. September 26, 2019 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- Friends and Family of a young woman who was murdered will be protesting Friday outside District Court in Santa Fe. The case against Selena Valencia suspected killer, Christopher Garcia, could be thrown out because the Santa Fe Police Department lost se...

Police say on September 18, 1983, Baltes was found dead in a motel room, where he'd been tied up and beaten. Septemeber 22, 2019 TULSA, Oklahoma - Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announced Friday that his office has charged two people with first-degree murder in a 1983 Tulsa cold case. Both are now in custody: 61-year-old Willie Moore. Moore ...

The river dropping to allow recovery efforts continue for the crashed barges at the Webbers Falls dam is giving law enforcement a unique opportunity to dig up old evidence. September 7, 2019 BRAGGS, OK (KJRH) — A 25-year-old case had one piece of evidence that never turned up - a cash register said to have been thrown off Highway 10 into the Arkans...

DNA evidence from Jacobs' clothing that could finally be processed using modern technology,  August 30, 2019 JEFFERSON COUNTY — DEVELOPING: The Jefferson County grand jury has indicted Daniel Andrew MacGinnis, 60, for the 1988 murder of Patricia Ann Jacobs. Her body was discovered in October, 1988 in the Neches River beneath the Rainbow Bridge...

The victim's family wants someone held responsible August 29, 2019 DOUGLAS, Ariz. – It was a murder that took place in Douglas 33 years ago. The victim's family wants someone held responsible, but a simple mistake in the storage of police homicide files could prevent that from ever happening. Patricia Alvarez was only 23-years old when she was murd...

In 2017, Mull began removing OSBI evidence envelopes containing the illicit drug before the evidence was booked. August 2, 2019 TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — According to U.S. Attorney Trent Shores, a former narcotics supervisor from the Mayes County Sheriff's Office was sentenced Friday for stealing methamphetamine that had been seized as evidence during ...

Woodman provided no receipt and did not have him sign for the items. July 25, 2019 SAFFORD — The second trial of Manuel Campos, 38, on multiple charges will proceed despite a Graham County Superior Court finding that evidence was mishandled. On June 13, a Superior Court jury found Campos guilty of misconduct involving weapons. Campos will be senten...

Santa Fe police say an internal investigation is now underway to figure out how it got lost and re-evaluate evidence policies and procedures Enter Article DATE HERE SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – An investigation is underway after evidence in a Santa Fe murder investigation went missing. Christopher Garcia was arrested in 2017 for the murder of his g...

A class action lawsuit alleges Central Texas authorities engage in gender discrimination by failing to adequately investigate and prosecute sexual assaults. June 11, 2019 Last year, three named plaintiffs launched a class action lawsuit against the City of Austin, Travis County and several local officials, for failing to adequately investigate and ...

At that time, we submitted about 724 SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) kits," Breedlove told KRIS 6 News. "All but about two hundred of those kits have been analyzed by DPS." June 08, 2019 Thousands of rape kits across Texas, including some that have been sitting on shelves for years, remain untested. Thanks to a new law recently signed by Gove...

The indictment states Brister is accused of stealing marijuana from the evidence storage room. Enter Article DATE HERE JASPER COUNTY — The Jasper County Grand Jury has indicted a former Jasper police officer who is accused of burglarizing the evidence storage room of the Kirbyville Police Department, where his father serves as police chief, ac...

Investigators say the charges stem from an incident in March when several items were reported missing from the Achille Police Department's evidence room. Enter Article DATE HERE ACHILLE, Okla. – An embattled former Oklahoma mayor says it is time for him to be held accountable for his actions. Around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Durant police arres...

Gov. Kevin Stitt last week signed a bill to create a statewide tracking system for collecting sexual assault evidence, May 2, 2019 Oklahoma is poised to tackle a backlog of more than 7,200 untested rape kits. Gov. Kevin Stitt last week signed a bill to create a statewide tracking system for collecting sexual assault evidence, which is the first of ...

Last seen over 30 years ago, William C. Reed's remains were identified in Oklahoma thanks to DNA technology. April 13, 2019h OKLAHOMA CITY — (AP) - An Arkansas man whose remains were found in Oklahoma has been identified more than 30 years after his death thanks to advances in DNA technology. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said Thursday...

Scottsdale police used familial DNA testing to match DNA found at the crime scene to 42-year-old Ian Mitcham. Enter Article DATE HERE SCOTTSDALE, AZ — One year ago, a suspect was arrested for the murder of Allison Feldman, 31, who was found dead inside her Scottsdale home in 2015. Court records said authorities found Feldman's body nude, and d...

More than 25 years after the crime, Pueblo County deputies arrested a suspect in a cold case murder from Texas on Thursday. March 25, 2019 PUEBLO WEST – More than 25 years after the crime, Pueblo County deputies arrested a suspect in a cold case murder from Texas on Thursday. Pueblo County Sheriff's deputies and U.S. Marshals arrested 73-year-old J...

Avery said the shotguns, rifles and handguns were either stolen, seized or never claimed by the owner. March 10, 2019 OKLAHOMA COUNTY - Old, antique guns are up for auction. The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department is purging their evidence room. And, you can get your hands on the guns, but only if you have a federal license. Over 500 guns gatherin...

Santa Rosa Police lost 19 pounds of marijuana from its evidence room February 13, 2019 Santa Rosa Police lost 19 pounds of marijuana from its evidence room, according to the Cameron County District Attorney, and now Police Chief Ronnie Hernandez's job is on the line. Santa Rosa aldermen are holding a special meeting Thursday to review Hernandez's w...

Austin Police outsourced the DNA testing of the untested rape kits to labs in other states to help tackle the backlog February 22, 2019 AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) - AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department could potentially reopen dozens of rape investigations after getting the results from its backlog of 2,665 untested rape kits. About 35 percent o...

The Eastern New Mexico News reports Parker announced this week an audit found the cash missing after an employee notified him. Enter Article DATE HERE ORTALES, N.M. — Roosevelt County Sheriff Malin Parker is asking New Mexico State Police for help in investigating missing cash from its evidence room. The Eastern New Mexico News reports Parker ...

The property room currently houses about 56,000 pieces of property and evidence held by the sheriff's office. JANUARY 23, 2019 Stored personal property at the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office is becoming a big strain on law enforcement. The property room storing items of jail inmates belongings is running out of space to store pertinent items, like ev...

Ray Bans that had been placed in the evidence property room. January 10, 2019 ALAMO — A former police sergeant here was arrested Tuesday over a pair of Ray Bans, marking the second occasion in four months that he was placed under arrest over the glasses. Rodney Guerra, 45, was arrested on a third-degree felony charge of tampering with evidence and ...

MCSO's Professional Standards Bureau took over the matter for further investigation. Investigators reviewed the evidence and body-camera footage, officials said. Enter Article DATE HERE A Maricopa County sheriff's deputy has been arrested on suspicion of stealing money from a dead person's home after he responded to a call there, the Sheriff's...

Court documents state Chief Ortiz stole $867 seized during a drug investigation from the evidence vault. Enter Article DATE HERE MERKEL, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - The Merkel Police Chief under investigation for mishandling money has been arrested. Chris Ortiz self-surrendered in Callahan County Thursday morning for a Tampering with Physical Evidence...

Salazar said the last time the property room had been thoroughly audited was in 1997. October 12, 2018 SAN ANTONIO - The results aren't in yet but changes are on the way. That's what Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said about an audit of the property room at the Sheriff's Office that started last year and covers cases going back to 2014. The sc...

A former police lieutenant with the Edcouch Police Department accused of staging a drug seizure in order to steal cocaine from the agency's evidence room October 4, 2018 McALLEN — A former police lieutenant with the Edcouch Police Department accused of staging a drug seizure in order to steal cocaine from the agency's evidence room was sentenced Tu...

Enter Headline here September 27, 2018 EL MIRAGE, AZ - The Arizona Department of Public Safety says they have solved a 17-year-old cold case murder in El Mirage. Richard Cacero Lucero was found dead on Dec. 20, 2001, when a family friend asked officers to conduct a welfare check on the victim. The Arizona Department of Public Safety took over the c...

Enter Headline here August 24, 2018 Joshua Vann Harrell, 26, pleaded no contest to grand theft of a controlled substance and destroying evidence. He was sentenced to five days in the county jail and 36 months probation for stealing "K2″ synthetic marijuana from an evidence locker. Officers reported finding a chain of custody form on the seat of the...

evidence technician has pleaded guilty to stealing about $25,000 from the department. August 23, 2018 A former Quartzsite police evidence technician has pleaded guilty to stealing about $25,000 from the department. State prosecutors say Christy Conley pleaded guilty to one count each of fraudulent schemes and artifices and tampering with evidence. ...

Investigators said Burton's body was found in a vacant field over 48 years ago August 20 2018 HOUSTON – An 80-year-old man has been charged in connection with cold case involving the fatal shooting of a woman in 1969. The Houston Police Department says Ralph Tyrone Cooper, 80, is charged with murder in the death of his common-law wife, Mary An...

Records obtained by KHOU 11 Investigates confirms the cases that could be compromised date back to 2012 July 21, 2018 HOUSTON, Texas – Hundreds of rape kits in Harris County could have been compromised. This week, KHOU 11 investigates found out the Harris County District Attorney sent out letters saying there may be a problem with evidence collecte...

Chief allegedly took $867 out of the evidence vault July 18, 2018 ABILENE, TX — More information about allegations against the former Merkel Chief of Police has been revealed in the latest court documents recently obtained by KXVA FOX15. The documents state that 40-year-old Christopher Ortiz, who has been the Merkel Chief of Police since 2014, know...

Sheriff Reed says Mull is suspected of taking drugs that were supposed to be placed into the evidence vault. July 12, 2018 PRYOR, Okla. (KTUL) — PRYOR, Okla., (KTUL) -- A Mayes county deputy is out of a job and could end up in jail himself. Brett Mull is accused of taking illegal drugs from evidence. It's an alleged crime sheriff Mike Reed never th...

A Houston police officer was treated after officials say he was exposed to an unknown narcotic while collecting evidence during a disturbance at a hotel room Wednesday morning. July 12, 2018 HOUSTON – A Houston police officer was treated after officials say he was exposed to an unknown narcotic while collecting evidence during a disturbance at a ho...

The suspect also allegedly took methamphetamine that had been seized during an undercover operation by the FBI July 6, 2018  Select The juvenile female allegedly started receiving the messages following a June 15 traffic stop by Capehart during which he asked for personal information, including her date of birth, email address and phone number...

According to the criminal complaint, he stole drugs seized during arrests and gave them to women July 3, 2018 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico State Police officer Daniel Capehart, who worked patrol in the northwest part of the state, has been arrested and charged with distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana. Capehart made an initial court appe...

A specialized machine helped determine that Fentanyl was not on they flyers. June 30, 2018 After warning the public about flyers potentially tainted with the opioid Fentanyl, the Harris County Sheriff's Office now confirms lab tests showed no signs of the drug. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences tested 13 flyers and found all of them ...

The sergeant found a flyer on her windshield, removed it and soon began feeling light-headed June 26, 2018 A Texas deputy was treated at a hospital and then released on Tuesday after she touched a flyer suspected of being laced with fentanyl, a potent and potentially deadly opioid. The sergeant found a flyer on her windshield, removed it and soon b...

The agency discovered over 100 pounds of narcotics were missing, court documents show, May 17, 2018 PHOENIX — A former sergeant of the Gila River Police Department has admitted to stealing narcotics from an evidence room and bringing them back to his Casa Grande home. Michael Coomes, 48, resigned from the tribal police agency shortly after an ex-gi...

Imagine every rape victim in Oklahoma being able to track their rape kit, from the time, the evidence is collected June 15, 2018 TULSA, Oklahoma - Imagine every rape victim in Oklahoma being able to track their rape kit, from the time, the evidence is collected at the hospital to when it's handed over to police, when it shows up in the property roo...

The question is how does all of that - pictures of deceased, bloodied bodies - people's loved ones, drug paraphernalia, full folders of full-page confidential police records - go from being safe inside the police station to being tossed out back in the dumpster? June 13, 2018 GLENPOOL, Okla. -- Shocking new developments in a story 2 Works for You b...