Doña Ana County District Attorney's Office

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2023 I Las Cruces
This is information on a fake kidnapping ransom scam that has targeted multiple people in recent weeks. Here are some tips to prevent it from happening to you.
The scam typically begins with a phone call saying your family member is being held captive. The caller may allege your daughter, or a female family member has been kidnapped, because they had witnessed a crime, and you hear a female screaming in the background. Callers may threaten by saying that they will take your family member into Mexico if the demand for payment is not met by a certain timeframe. You may be ordered to stay on the line until money is wired. Callers will go to great lengths to keep you on the phone, to prevent you from alerting family members or attempting to call or locate the victim.
To avoid becoming a victim of this extortion scheme, look for the possible indicators:
• Incoming calls that are from an outside area code, unavailable, and no caller ID.
• Calls do not come from the alleged kidnapped victim’s phone.
• Callers that go to great lengths to keep you on the phone.
• Calls that threaten or prevent you from calling, locating, and identifying the ‘kidnapped’ victim.
• Ranson money is only accepted via wire transfer service or directed to make money drop.
• Try to slow the situation down.
• Ask for questions; like what’s her dog’s name? What vehicle does she drive? [example; she may own just cats or no animals at all]
• Use social media to your advantage, text, or instant message alleged victim.
To help prevent this scam, check privacy settings on social media accounts. The more information available to the public, the more information scammers can use to convince you into believing a scam is real.
Immediately notify local law enforcement, Las Cruces Police Department, Doña Ana Sheriff’s Department, or your local authorities.

Roxanne Garcia-McElmell
Public Information Office
Third Judicial District Attorney
575-524-6370 x1140 Cell: 575-915-5954

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2023
Steven Valdez found guilty of murdering girlfriend, Brittany Skaggs
October 11, 2023 I Las Cruces- Steven Valdez,45, was found guilty by Las Cruces jury in Third District Court to murdering his girlfriend, Brittany Skaggs.
Steven Valdez, was found guilty of an open count of Murder, Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon); Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon); Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer.
On February 23, 2022. Las Cruces police officers were called about a female gunshot victim. Police found Skaggs inside her vehicle, deceased from one gunshot to the abdomen. Upon the officers’ arrival, Steven Valdez fled the scene on a motorcycle. A witness who knew the victim and witnessed the altercation told officers that Skaggs had called her to her home, she had disclosed to her that Valdez had been physically beating her throughout the morning hours and she wished to leave to allow him to cool off. It was at that time that Valdez entered the home, the witness confronted Valdez and he hit her with the butt of his handgun. Then Valdez chased Skaggs into the back bedroom where she pushed him attempting to leave when Valdez fired the handgun five times at Skaggs, hitting her in the arm and in the abdomen. Then Valdez located the witness and pointed the gun at her. She pleaded with him, not to shoot her. The witness then saw him drag Skaggs out and placed her into her vehicle and left the scene. 911 audio was played at the trial, detailing the witness’ testimony.
LCPD officers located Valdez on his motorcycle, chasing him through the streets of Las Cruces, sometimes at speeds in excess of 100 mph, in an attempt to apprehend him. The officers eventually detained him, after he crashed the motorcycle.
Valdez has a history of criminal behavior and battery of a household member. Domestic Violence help is available for anyone experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence through La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services 24 Hour Crisis Hotline 575-526-3437.
Sentencing to be held at a later date, with Valdez facing over 50 years in prison.

District Attorney Gerald Byers serves the communities of Doña Ana County. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, doubling our commitment and dedication to keeping the residents of Doña Ana County safe.

Lalo Castrillo sentenced to 30 years today in the Death of Faviola Rodriguez
October 3, 2023 | Las Cruces, NM— On September 1, 2023 A Doña Ana County jury found Lalo Castrillo, guilty of Intentional Abuse of a Child resulting in death of two year old Faviola Rodriguez. Castrillo was sentenced today to 30 years in prison. District Court Judge Counts in his statement to the defendant said “that the court recognizes that children are particularly vulnerable, these charges are serious and intentionally brought about her death. “
The sentencing ends nearly 5 years of proceedings since police arrested Castrillo in 2018. Castrillo was babysitting Favi, who was his girlfriend’s child, while she was at work. At some point during the night Castrillo physically abused Favi, causing internal bleeding and bruising resulting in her death. During the trial it was revealed that Castrillo waited for over an hour to call 911. Phone records proved that during that time, he was researching on the internet for cariogenic shock and child chokes on throw-up while sleeping information.
The state autopsy doctor and the emergency room doctor both testified that the injuries to baby Favi’s brain and other bruising on her body were not pre-existing injuries.
District Attorney Gerald Byers stated, “This four-day trial was held a few days before the 5th Anniversary of baby Faviola’s death. Lalo Anthony Castrillo was found guilty of intentionally abusing 2-year-old Faviola Rodriguez, resulting in her death. During the course of those years, many prosecutors, victim’s advocates, legal secretaries, and police officers dedicated themselves to seeking justice for this innocent victim. Throughout the years of prosecutorial adversity, the family maintained their confidence in the prosecution team’s ability to secure justice. Over the course of the trial, 12 jury members heard all the evidence and returned a guilty verdict within hours, validating the sense of community and upholding justice for Baby Faviola.”

DA Byers Statement on the Baby Faviola Verdict.

"This four-day trial was held a few days before the 5th Anniversary of Baby Faviola's death. Lalo Anthony Castrillo was found guilty of intentionally abusing 2-year-old Fabiola Rodriguez, resulting in her death. During the course of those years, many prosecutors, victim's advocates, legal secretaries, and police officers dedicated themselves to seeking justice for this innocent victim.
In the pursuit of justice, we took this case all the way to the New Mexico Supreme Court and back.
The state's highest court agreed with our assessment to secure accountability and reasonable remedies for the suppression of evidence. Ensuring the viability to proceed to trial. A child's life was taken, it is for that very reason we continued to fight to prosecute and hold Lalo Castrillo fully accountable for Faviola's death.
Throughout the years of prosecutorial adversity, the family maintained their confidence in the prosecution team's ability to secure justice.
Over the course of the trial, 12 jury members from Doña Ana County heard all the evidence and returned a guilty verdict within hours of receiving the case. Validating the sense of community and upholding justice for Baby Faviola." - District Attorney Gerald Byers