Citizens for Norman R. Wheeler

07/02/2026

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Still six months out from the next legislative session, where a new governor will be at the helm, a group of New Mexico district attorneys is once again pushing lawmakers to mak…

04/07/2026

Ruben J. Chavarria, Jr. is sentenced for Multiple Counts of Child Sexual Abuse

Silver City, NM – Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced today that Ruben Chavarria, Jr. has been sentenced to 66 years, he was given confinement credit for time served. He will still serve 61 years, 3 months, and 19 days in the New Mexico Department of Corrections following his conviction for multiple felony offenses involving the sexual abuse of a child under the age of 13.

Following a jury trial in Silver City, Ruben J. Chavarria, Jr. (68) was found guilty of four counts of Criminal Sexual Pe*******on in the First Degree (Child Under 13) and one count of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor in the Second Degree (Child Under 13).
The jury trial and sentencing were presided over by the Honorable Judge Hofacket.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Celeste Robertson and Chief Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Clark; Deputy District Attorney Joseph Patrick Silva represented the state at sentencing.
The investigation began after the victim disclosed to a friend that she had been inappropriately touched by her mother’s boyfriend. Law enforcement was notified, and an investigation followed. During the trial, the victim testified that the abuse occurred over a period of approximately two years, When the victim was between the ages of five and seven, while Chavarria resided in her family home.

District Attorney Wheeler emphasized the importance of holding offenders accountable and praised the courage of the victim in coming forward, as well as the work of law enforcement and prosecution in securing justice.

We want to thank the members of the jury for their attention and consideration during the trial.

04/07/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2026 – The justice system is responsible for holding individuals accountable for criminal conduct while also working to protect and support victims of crime. An important part of this process is determining whether a defendant poses a danger to the community under applicable law.
In 2016, voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing what is commonly referred to as a No Bond Detention or Pre Trial Detention Hearing. prior to this amendment at arraignment a magistrate judge was entitled to set a bond on a defendant based upon the nature of the charges and the record of the defendant.
AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THIS AMENDMENT, all defendants are required to be released without posting a bond regardless of the charge unless a motion under NMRA 5-409 is filed by the district attorney’s office. After the passage of this amendment, a defendant may be held without bond only after a formal court hearing based upon the filing of the 5-409 motion. At that hearing, the prosecution must present clear and convincing evidence that the defendant poses a danger to the community and that no conditions of release can be set that would protect the community. so, in only those cases in which a 5-409 motion is filed might a defendant be held without bond.
The graph represents the number of detention hearings for the year 2025.

03/05/2026