Repeat-offender case review · 2020–2026
In the Courtroom of Judge Bruce Fox
New Mexico Second Judicial District Court
22 cases adjudicated · 12 problematic dispositions
- 6Incompetent findings
- 1Failure to prosecute
- 2State dismissals (nolle prosequi)
- 3Deferred dismissals
Analysis
Repeat-offender dismissals in this courtroom
This page reviews 22 criminal case dispositions of known repeat offenders in the courtroom of Judge Bruce Fox from 2020 through mid-2026. 12 of those cases ended in a non-merits resolution — 55% — meaning the underlying charge was not resolved by acquittal, conviction, or plea.
In the featured examples below, many of the same defendants were charged again after the case was closed.
What counts as “problematic.” Across a study of more than 5,000 cases involving 150 prolific repeat offenders in New Mexico, a disposition is treated as problematic when it does not resolve the charge on the merits. That includes findings of incompetence, failure to prosecute, State notices of dismissal (nolle prosequi), and deferred dismissals. Valid reasons can exist in individual cases. The question this record raises is pattern and consequence, not a single file.
Disposition snapshot
Cases not resolved on the merits
12 problematic · 10 not problematic, of 22 reviewed.
ProblematicNot problematic
How the 12 problematic cases closed
Non-merits (problematic) disposition types in this courtroom:
Problematic dispositions by time period
Open a period to read the featured cases from the narrative. Each card keeps the original paragraph and flags the disposition type.
2020–2021 Early Signals of Recurring Dismissal 0 featured cases
No problematic dispositions were found for this courtroom in 2020 or 2021.
2022–2023 Peak Volume and Same-Day Clusters 3 featured cases
January 2023
Manuel Palmier Barros
In January 2023, Judge Bruce Fox dismissed for failure to prosecute the Bribery of a Witness case against Manuel Palmier Barros, who had 6 prior cases. Palmier Barros faced new charges of Violation of Restraining Order Prohibiting Domestic Violence in August 2023.
May 2023
Tyler Hammond
In May 2023, Judge Bruce Fox granted deferred dismissal in the Trafficking Controlled Substances (Distribution)(Narcotic or Meth)(1st Offense) case against Tyler Hammond, who had 24 prior cases. Hammond faced new charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) in June 2023.
September 2023
Dana Delouth
In September 2023, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) case against Dana Delouth, assigned to Judge Bruce Fox at the time, who had 26 prior cases. Delouth faced new charges of Battery (household member) in January 2024.
2024–2026 Continued High-Prior Dismissals and Reoffending 4 featured cases
April 2025
Isaiah Herrera
In April 2025, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) case against Isaiah Herrera, assigned to Judge Bruce Fox at the time, who had 20 prior cases. Herrera faced new charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony in May 2025.
January 2026
Appolonia Gonzales
In January 2026, Judge Bruce Fox dismissed as incompetent the Competency Raised case against Appolonia Gonzales, who had 47 prior cases. Gonzales faced new charges of Battery in January 2026.
April 20, 2026
Marcos Montoya
On April 20, 2026, Judge Bruce Fox granted deferred dismissal in two Competency Raised cases against Marcos Montoya on the same day, with Montoya having 70 prior cases. Montoya faced new charges of Criminal Trespass in May 2026.
May 22, 2026
Michael Casey
On May 22, 2026, Judge Bruce Fox dismissed as incompetent five Competency Raised cases against Michael Casey on the same day, with Casey having 39 to 43 prior cases.
Notable dispositions approved, ordered, or endorsed
| Period | Offender | Key charge(s) | Disposition by Judge Fox | Priors | Notable subsequent charge(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Manuel Palmier Barros | Bribery of a Witness | Dismissed by Judge Fox for failure to prosecute | 6 | Violation of Restraining Order Prohibiting Domestic Violence [Aug 2023] |
| 2023 | Tyler Hammond | Trafficking Controlled Substances (Distribution)(Narcotic or Meth)(1st Offense) | Deferred dismissal by Judge Fox | 24 | Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) [Jun 2023] |
| 2023 | Dana Delouth | Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) | Notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) | 26 | Battery (household member) [Jan 2024] |
| 2025 | Isaiah Herrera | Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) | Notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) | 20 | Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony [May 2025] |
| 2026 | Appolonia Gonzales | Competency Raised | Dismissed by Judge Fox as incompetent | 47 | Battery [Jan 2026] |
| 2026 (Apr 20) | Marcos Montoya | Competency Raised x2 [same-day] | Deferred dismissal by Judge Fox | 70 | Criminal Trespass [May 2026] |
| 2026 (May 22) | Michael Casey | Competency Raised x5 [same-day] | Dismissed by Judge Fox as incompetent | 39–43 | [No subsequent listed] |
Summarizing the record
The pattern of problematic dispositions in the courtroom of Judge Bruce Fox includes 6 incompetent findings, 1 dismissal for failure to prosecute, 2 State notices of dismissal (nolle prosequi), and 3 deferred dismissals. High-prior individuals in these records include Marcos Montoya (70 priors), Appolonia Gonzales (47 priors), and Michael Casey (priors reaching 43). The same-day cluster of five incompetent findings against Michael Casey on May 22, 2026, is the largest single-day cluster in these records.
Learn More About This Judge Below
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