Albuquerque, NM — A judge appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered the release of accused child rapist Albez Ramirez from jail, denying a motion for pretrial detention by prosecutors despite a violent past and multiple pending rape charges.  Judge Murphy made the “catch and release” ruling last week and is an appointee of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Ramirez iscurrently pending multiple rape charges of 13-18year old (CSP in the second degree). He also has priors for aggravated battery of a police officer and aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, and is currently serving a sentence for trafficking charges. 

“Even given Michelle Lujan Grisham’s track record for releasing violent criminals from prison early, and commuting their sentences, this case is absolutely appalling,” said Ryan Sabel, Mark Ronchetti for Governor’s communications director. He continued “Unfortunately this is not an isolated decision, but more of a pattern across New Mexico as the Governor’s appointed judges continue to take advantage of the dangerous catch and release law and adhere to the Governor’s strict agenda to empty New Mexico’s jails, no matter the cost to public safety.”

Crime being out of control in New Mexico is a direct result of the soft-on-crime philosophy Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has implemented at all levels of our criminal justice system, from releasing criminals from prison early, to passing laws making it easier to be a criminal than a cop, to appointing soft-on-crime judges and parole officials. 

In fact, Governor Lujan Grisham received the largest campaign contribution allowed under law by the architect of the catch-and-release “Arnold Tool” – John Arnold himself. 

This case is just the latest example of a Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed judge making New Mexico less safe. The fact that this criminal is even eligible for pretrial release given the extent of his previous crimes is absolutely appalling and the Governor and Judge should both be asked why they would deem this release to be appropriate, given the fact that he is currently pending multiple charges of CSP in the second degree. 

Original source can be found here.