Arrests Tied to Taos Gifting Network Pyramid Scheme
Taos police and a state Alcohol and Gaming Division agent arrested Shirley Anne Mitchell and Bryan Gillum at an El Rito home after informants offered immunity. Each faces a fourth degree felony for promoting a pyramid scheme tied to Friends Gifting Network, with bail set at $4,000 cash each and arraignment planned in Eighth Judicial District Court. Mitchell was in California for a grandchild's birth. Gillum, who pleads not guilty, plans to marry Mitchell in Peru in July.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Taos
Alcohol and Gaming Division
el Rito
Shirley Anne Mitchell
Bryan Gillum
Manny Trujillo
Trujillo
Mitchell
Kaden
Gillum
Kadmonica
Eighth Judicial District Court
Itchell
California
New Mexico
Peru
Richard Kin
Ofice
Taos Pueblo Moves Toward Gaming Expansion
Taos Pueblo weighs a slow move from pull-tabs to a bingo hall with potential expansion, but timing depends on outside factors. Tribal officials say a site near Arroyo Hondo and Taos is the only option previously considered, with a decision possibly a year to 18 months away. The issue, tied to state tribal gaming laws, contrasts with Pojoaque Pueblo plans for a full casino, while King opposes Class III compacts allowing video slots.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Taos Pueblo
Carl Concha
R.C. Gorman
Arroyo Hondo
Concha
New Mexico
Bruce King
Pojoaque Pueblo
Ducals
Viarrial
Vallecitos timber sale appeal challenges forest plan
Five New Mexico conservation groups led by Carson Forest Watch appeal a planned La Manga timber sale in the Vallecitos unit. They protest logging of the largest remaining Southwest old growth while citing an EIS that projects 4.2 million board feet and 429 acres of old growth to be removed across 5,200 acres, with mistletoe-infested trees targeted on 939 acres.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Mexico
Carson Forest Watch
la Manga
Valecitos Federal
Carson National Forest
Joanie Berde
Forest Service
Vallecitos
EIS
Carson Forest sale plan targets small operators and old growth
A coalition including Forest Guardians Wilderness Society and Audubon offered Carson supervisor Leo Lucero a deal to drop sale portions that would affect old growth and mature forest. Lucero said the plan allocates more old growth than required and intends light cuts on 469 acres leaving three quarters of large trees intact, with most removals among smaller stock.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Santa Fe
Forest Guardians
The
Wilderness Society
National Audubon Society
Carson
Leonard Lucero
Lucero
Taos Petition Triggers DA Probe Controversy
Irene and Fritz Vialpando say they were misled by Taos organizers who used their son Fritz Vialpando II’s name in a petition seeking a grand jury investigation of Eighth Judicial District Attorney Sammy Pacheco. They now want out of the effort as others push the probe amid a still unsolved 1987 shooting.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Irene Vialpando
Fritz
Taos
Questa
Vialpandos
Fritz Vialpando II
Eighth Judicial District
Sammy Pacheco
Chris Romero
Jamie Flores
Ray Cordova
Joe Cordova
Fritz Vialpando
Taos County
Arson Investigations Probe Fires in Tres Piedras Area
Law officers and fire chiefs investigate a series of suspected arsons in Tres Piedras, targeting an unoccupied house, a barn, and a trailer since December 1993. Fires occurred at night, near the road, with officials seeking tips through Taos fire marshal Jim Fambro and Crimestoppers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tres Piedras
Duke Cozart
Cozart
Taos
Jim Fambro
Eddie Martinez
Also Mentioned on This Page
Janet Camillio
Bill Vestal
Scott Coon
Siobhan Carmody
Taos Plaza
Pueblo
Vallecitos Timber Sale
Alisa Duncan
Taos News
Slate Road
Stekoous
Paul Garkin
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