First Judicial District Attorney

10/16/2026

PRETRIAL DETENTION GRANTED | State v. Damien David Pretto
(D-101-PD-2026-00099)

A District Court Judge granted the State’s motion for pretrial detention of Damien David Pretto, who faces the following charges:

• Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (2 counts)

Pretto will remain in custody pending trial. The case is assigned to our trial team.

10/14/2026

We are pleased to invite you to our upcoming Annual Meeting, where we will come together to reflect on the past year, share important updates, and discuss our plans and priorities for the year ahead.

Your attendance is important to us, and we look forward to hearing your perspectives and sharing this opportunity to connect with our community.

Please RSVP by October 21st to confirm your attendance.

We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.

10/14/2026

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, join us for our free webinar on Stalking & Domestic Violence: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know. Stalking is a public health issue that is frequently overlooked and isn't screened for by clinicians -- even though it directly intersects with domestic and dating violence. This webinar will explore the intersections of stalking with intimate partner violence and provide practical strategies that healthcare professionals can use to better identify and respond to patients experiencing these prevalent co-victimizations. Link in bio to learn more and register for free (or check out https://www.stalkingawareness.org/upcoming-events/).

Also join us TOMORROW, October 15, for our free Intimate Partner Stalking webinar!

10/14/2026

10/14/2026

Any registered voter in New Mexico can vote by mail. Request your mail-in (absentee) ballot by October 20th to vote by mail this election season.

Make sure you return your ballot in the official mailing envelope provided by the County Clerk by 7 pm on Election Day. You can drop it in the mail or return it in person at the office of the County Clerk, to a polling location, or to an official election drop box in your county.

10/14/2026

OPRE - Data from the New Mexico Department of Health Epidemiology team shows a 19% decrease in su***de from 2024 to 2025. While one year of data doesn't mean the work is finished, and no single effort can explain a change like this, movement in this direction is significant. Across New Mexico, people are having more conversations about mental health, and communities are working every day to make support easier to reach. For peers, it is another reminder that showing up for one person at a time can be part of something much bigger.

10/13/2026

Welcome Gloria Brand, Receptionist Specialist, at the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Gloria joined our team approximately four months ago, bringing with her a professional background in finance. While transitioning into the criminal justice field has been a new experience, Gloria has embraced the opportunity to contribute to public service.

10/12/2026

10/12/2026

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY | October 12, 2026

Long before the United States existed, Indigenous peoples had established thriving civilizations, communities, governments, and cultures across North America.

Our state is home to 23 federally recognized sovereign Nations, Tribes, and Pueblos, including 19 Pueblos, three Apache tribes, and the Navajo Nation.

Within the First Judicial District, we recognize the historical and cultural connections of the Pueblos of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Tesuque, and Ohkay Owingeh, along with the Jicarilla Apache Nation and other Indigenous peoples whose ancestral ties extend throughout Northern New Mexico.

The words of Geronimo, the renowned Chiricahua Apache leader, remind us of the profound connection between Indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands:

“I was born free, and I want to die free.”

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an opportunity to recognize not only the history of Native Americans, but also their resilience, sovereignty, cultural contributions, and continuing leadership in our communities. Their history is American history. Their cultures are living traditions. Their contributions continue to shape New Mexico.

10/12/2026

When we talk about public safety, that has to include supporting survivors. If you need support, it's available 24/7. For NM-specific resources, visit NMCADV.org.

And this Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I want to especially thank the advocates and health care providers who serve survivors in New Mexico.