CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) – What do a banded mongoose, an amur leopard, and a chuckwalla have in common? They are all animals at the Living Desert Zoo Gardens State Park that need veterinary care. The zoo in Carlsbad is looking for veterinarian care providers to help with 24-hour emergency care, parasite control, animal vaccinations, and other programs. The state has posted a request for proposals online ..read more

CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) – Jesus Alonso Cerezo-Espidio, a 51-year-old from Carlsbad, has pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams and more of cocaine and five grams and more of methamphetamine, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says. Cerezo-Espidio is the eighth individual indicted after a 2023 law enforcement operation in Carlsbad. Other individuals charged after the operation have also pled guilty to federal crimes ..read more

EDDY COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – The Eddy County Sheriff's Office is investigating after suspected human remains were found in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. According to the sheriff's office, remains, believed to be human, were found on the Yucca Canyon Trail. It is not known if foul play is suspected at this time. The trail is now back open to the public. The sheriff's office is investigating along with the National Parks Service ..read more

CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) – Carlsbad police are looking for information after a person was shot and died. According to the Carlsbad Police Department, an unresponsive man was reported just after 10 p.m. near the 1900 block of Boyd Drive on April 1. Officials determined the man had died due to gunshot wounds. Story continues below New Mexico News Podcast: District Attorney Discusses Dropped DWI Cases Community: County commissioner jumps into a neighborhood battle over an Albuquerque playground Trending: Rio Rancho family learns of father’s service during WW2, receives his service medals ..read more

CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) – A Carlsbad mother found guilty of child abuse after her twelve-year-old son overdosed on drugs is appealing her 14-year prison sentence. Alexis Smith was found guilty in September of two counts of child abuse, one of them resulting in death. Law enforcement responds to reported explosive device in home near Roswell Brent Sullivan died after overdosing on fentanyl back in November 2021. It happened at the home of Kelli Smith, his grandmother, and Alexis' mother. Alexis Smith's other child was also at home at the time. Smith's lawyers filed a notice to appeal la ..read more

CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) – Last year, federal and local investigators executed multiple search warrants in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Now, two of the individuals under investigation have pled guilty to federal drug offenses. Federal agents arrested 12 defendants during the operation and seized 31 firearms, 56 kilograms of methamphetamine, tens of thousands of dollars, and other drugs. Now, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says 33-year-old Kassandra Lee Perales and 42-year-old Jared Michael Moore have admitted to crimes related to the drug operation ..read more

CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) – Two Carlsbad men are facing more than 20 counts of felon in possession of a firearm after a SWAT standoff. On Tuesday, the Carlsbad Police Department said they saw Robert Williams enter a home associated with Daniel Mauzey. Officers were able to enter the home after calling a SWAT team where William and Mauzey were detained along with Samuel Mauzey. Sandia Prep coach arrested for child sexual solicitation Once inside, law enforcement said they found 24 guns, several of which were in vacuum-sealed bags. They also said five of those guns came back as stolen. Accordin ..read more

CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) – Juan Antonio Flores has been sentenced to 17.5 years in prison. The 47-year-old pled guilty to enticement of a minor, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said. Flores is tied to another Carlsbad case where a local couple was charged with creating child pornography. A search warrant on a home tied to a fetish website account led the Federal Bureau of Investigation to uncover the abuse, and the DOJ said Flores planned to participate in the child sexual abuse with that local couple ..read more

CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) – Carlsbad police are searching for a man accused of shooting another man near the Carlsbad Medical Center on Thursday. Police said Ruben Lugo Jr. is armed and dangerous, and his whereabouts are unknown at this time. Police said he fled in a vehicle after reportedly shooting a 22-year-old man around the 2400 block of West Pierce just before 4 p.m. An arrest warrant has been issued against Lugo Jr. for the criminal charges of aggravated battery (great bodily harm/deadly weapon), two counts of aggravated assault (deadly weapon), firearms or destructive devices; re ..read more

CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) – Maggie the bear, who is known for her artistic talents, will be celebrating her 19th birthday at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park in Carlsbad. Maggie, the park’s black bear, often paints with her paws as a behavioral enrichment activity. She was orphaned at the age of one month and was raised by a wildlife rehabilitator in Missouri until she found a home at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park when she was five months old ..read more