Guest Column By Joseph Alan SanchezSpecial to La Cucharacha News Most Americans recognize the name ICE and the images of masked military men that dominated the major media in recent weeks. Despite the inescapable familiarity of the federal agency, many don’t know what the acronym spells out. It is the office of Immigration Customs Enforcement. … Continue reading Cold as Ice
Tag: Crime
Life, after life without parole
By JUAN ESPINOSA They say, we learn from our mistakes. David Carrillo, 51, wants the young men and women he encounters to learn from his mistakes. As a 19-year-old gang leader, Carrillo was convicted of first degree murder of a young man in 1993 who was a member of a rival gang. He was sentenced… Continue reading Life, after life without parole
Mistrial declared in Martinez murder trial
BULLETIN By JUAN ESPINOSA PUEBLO — Jurors in the case told Judge Tim O’Shea, “Further deliberation would not be productive.” “The jury is deadlocked,” O’Shea told the court Thursday afternoon before he declared the trial a mistrial. According to several jurors who agreed to talk, the vote was seven for conviction to five for acquittal.… Continue reading Mistrial declared in Martinez murder trial
Lessons learned in prison
Guest Columnist Ricardo Reyes is currently studying science, math and Spanish at Colorado State University. He aspires to complete his university education and become a middle school math teacher. His interests include volunteering for Christian Fellowship, running and boxing. Where to begin? I can take so many avenues when it comes to correctional systems and… Continue reading Lessons learned in prison
Feliz Cumpleanos Isaiah Valpando
Family and friends will celebrate Isaiah Valpando’s 30th birthday with a Mariachi Mass on Sunday, Feb. 2 at St. Francis Xavier Church, l611 Logan Ave. in Pueblo. Valpando was murdered on Sept. 2, 2015 when he was shot by an assailant who thought he was rival gang member. Valpando had no gang affiliations and his… Continue reading Feliz Cumpleanos Isaiah Valpando
Mayor Graham speaks on raising taxes and increasing arrests
State of the City address By DEVIN FLORES Pueblo, Colorado. The weather outside was frigid, with nearly 20 degrees of windchill, as Mayor Heather Graham gave a State of the City address at Pueblo Memorial Hall Friday, Jan. 24. The mayor’s primary topics reflected crime and safety concerns, the city’s budget, and her administration’s work… Continue reading Mayor Graham speaks on raising taxes and increasing arrests
My two cents…
Editor’s Note: This essay was written the day the results of the most recent national election were known. It was originally posted on FaceBook by the author and shared with La Cucaracha. Full disclosure — Neva Quintana is the daughter of La Cucaracha Editor Juan Espinosa and his wife Deborah. She was born into La… Continue reading My two cents…
Judge releases Pueblo man jailed on Municipal Court charges since January
Petition alleges 575-day sentence is unconstitutional By JUAN ESPINOSA A Pueblo man, who alleges he has been illegally held in Pueblo County Jail since January, was granted a zero-dollar personal recognizance bond by a district court judge on Friday, Oct. 4. Two hours later, Dean L. Lopez, 55, walked out of the Pueblo detention center… Continue reading Judge releases Pueblo man jailed on Municipal Court charges since January
Pueblo moves to sweep Fountain Creek to enforce municipal code
By: CHELA LUJAN & JUAN ESPINOSA With backhoes, skids, dump trucks and other heavy equipment, the City of Pueblo moved in Sept. 3 to enforce the camping ban ordinance, passed in February. Dozens of equipment operators, firemen, police officers and other workers swept the camps on the West bank of Fountain Creek and between East… Continue reading Pueblo moves to sweep Fountain Creek to enforce municipal code
Women in Jails Reveal Stark Realities: Support HB 1187
Jails are basically designed for men. Should we rethink that in regard to women’s health? Arrests are up for women nationally and thousands are pregnant. Some are dying in jails due to pregnancy-related medical issues and so are some babies. The Prison Policy Initiative reported that for the last 35 years, drug-related arrests have increased… Continue reading Women in Jails Reveal Stark Realities: Support HB 1187