District Attorney Marco Serna Issues Statement on Jordan Nunez Guilty Plea
March 20, 2020
Santa Fe, NM - Over two years ago, District Attorney Serna, in partnership with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, committed every effort to giving 13-year old Jeremiah Valencia a voice. Today, Jordan Nunez pleaded guilty to recklessly participating in the abhorrent abuse that ended Jeremiah’s short life and for tampering with Jeremiah’s body in a cowardly attempt to conceal the crime.
The Defendant faces 14-24 years in prison and prosecutors will urge the Court to order the maximum sentence served due to the serious violent nature of this offense. This was truly a concerted effort by several state agencies: specifically, with the support of the AG’s Office of Criminal Appeals division and psychological experts from The Forensic Panel, DA Serna and his team successfully argued against the defense that Nunez’s traumatic childhood and the control Thomas Ferguson exerted over the household, justified or excused Nunez’s culpability in the death of Jeremiah. To the contrary, the evidence clearly showed Nunez put his interests above the protection of young Jeremiah.
Working within the limitations and nuances of the existing child abuse laws, this conviction is a testament to the relentless effort of Detectives Earnest Alderete and Eric Eccles, crime scene technician Shari Vialpando, the forensic teams at OMI and DPS, Chief Deputy DA Jennifer Padgett-Macias, Deputy DA Mary Carmack-Altwies and most importantly to the bravery and resilience of Jeremiah’s sister.
"Our team worked tirelessly to ensure that Jordan Nunez is held accountable for his role in this horrific tragedy," said DA Serna.
There is never truly justice when a child dies under such horrific circumstances, and DA Serna and his team of prosecutors hope that Jeremiah’s sister, his family, and the community that mourned his death can begin healing knowing those responsible have been brought to justice. May Jeremiah rest in peace.
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DA Serna Charges Four Defendants in Brutal Murder of Cameron Martinez and Shooting of Three Others
October 07, 2018
Española, NM - Today, First Judicial District Attorney Marco Serna announced he will be filing criminal complaints against four defendants with the horrific shooting of four young people, including the murder of Cameron Martinez. District Attorney Serna is filing criminal complaints charging Mark Hice, Anton Martinez, and an underage male with First Degree Murder, three counts of Shooting at or from a Motor Vehicle, two counts of Conspiracy, and one count of Tampering with Evidence. Serna is also charging Brittany Garcia with one count each of Conspiracy and Tampering with Evidence.
“I am angry and disgusted by this evil, horrific act of violence that left three innocent young people severely wounded and an exceptional young man dead,” said District Attorney Marco Serna. “Cameron Martinez exemplified the best of New Mexico and was on a path to a very bright future making his community a better place. I will seek swift justice for his alleged murder and the shooting using the full force of the law to do so, and we pray for the healing of all individuals and families impacted by this senseless tragedy.”
District Attorney Marco Serna to Charge Stepmother of Five Year Old Victim with Child Abuse Resulting in Death; Issues Statement on Boy’s Passing
September 25, 2018
Santa Fe, NM - Today, First Judicial District Attorney Marco Serna announced that he will now charge Melynie Tyalan Curtis with Child Abuse Resulting in Death after her five-year-old son expired early this morning at University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) in Albuquerque. On September 22, 2018, the young boy was airlifted to UNMH after passing away and being resuscitated twice. After arriving at the hospital doctors discovered purple bruises on his buttocks, injuries on his lower back that appeared to be from a belt, ligature marks around his neck, a cut below his ear, and a bloody and possibly fractured nose. Two days prior the boy also presented at the hospital with a broken clavicle.
“I am outraged and disgusted by the horrific abuse this young child suffered allegedly at the hands of his own stepmother, and now that innocent child has passed away as a result,” said District Attorney Marco P. Serna. “I am immediately charging Melynie Tyalan Curtis with Child Abuse Resulting in Death and I will be requesting she be held without bond until trial. I will devote all resources necessary to secure justice for this young boy, his family and our community. My deepest condolences go out to the child’s family.”