Repeat-offender case review · 2020–2026
In the Courtroom of Judge Christine Rodriguez
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
40 cases adjudicated · 27 problematic dispositions
- 2Incompetent findings
- 13Failure to prosecute
- 11State dismissals (nolle prosequi)
- 1Deferred dismissals
Analysis
Repeat-offender dismissals in this courtroom
This page reviews 40 criminal case dispositions of known repeat offenders in the courtroom of Judge Christine Rodriguez from 2020 through mid-2026. 27 of those cases ended in a non-merits resolution — 68% — 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
27 problematic · 13 not problematic, of 40 reviewed.
ProblematicNot problematic
How the 27 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 3 featured cases
September 2020
Dana Delouth
In September 2020, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Aggravated Battery (misdemeanor) (household member) case against Dana Delouth, assigned to Judge Christine Rodriguez at the time, who had 12 prior cases. Delouth faced new charges of Battery (household member) in April 2021.
April 2021
Misty Frazee
In April 2021, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Battery (household member) case against Misty Frazee, who had 8 prior cases. Frazee faced new charges of Battery (household member) in September 2021.
November 2021
Andres Galvan
In November 2021, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Battery (household member) case against Andres Galvan, assigned to Judge Christine Rodriguez at the time, who had 6 prior cases. Galvan faced new charges of False Imprisonment in January 2022.
2022–2023 Peak Volume and Same-Day Clusters 6 featured cases
March 2022
Dana Delouth
In March 2022, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Violation of Restraining Order Prohibiting Domestic Violence case against Dana Delouth, assigned to Judge Christine Rodriguez at the time, who had 19 prior cases. Delouth faced new charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony in April 2022.
June 2022
Andres Galvan
In June 2022, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Battery (household member) case against Andres Galvan, assigned to Judge Christine Rodriguez at the time, who had 10 prior cases. Galvan faced new charges of Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon) in September 2022.
July 2022
Mike Chavez
In July 2022, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Battery (household member) case against Mike Chavez, assigned to Judge Christine Rodriguez at the time, who had 20 prior cases. Chavez faced new charges of Battery (household member) in August 2022.
October 2022
Robert Austin
In October 2022, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Battery (household member) case against Robert Austin, assigned to Judge Christine Rodriguez at the time, who had 1 prior case. Austin faced new charges of Embezzlement – Felony in March 2023.
March 2023
Manuel Palmier Barros
In March 2023, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Aggravated DWI Driving While Under the Influence of Liquor and/or Drugs (Open Count) (Misdemeanor) case against Manuel Palmier Barros, assigned to Judge Christine Rodriguez at the time, who had 5 prior cases. Palmier Barros faced new charges of Violation of Restraining Order Prohibiting Domestic Violence in August 2023.
March 2023
Mike Chavez
In March 2023, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed as incompetent the Battery (household member) case against Mike Chavez, who had 31 prior cases. Chavez faced new charges of Battery (household member) in April 2023.
2024–2026 Continued High-Prior Dismissals and Reoffending 18 featured cases
January 2024
Manuel Palmier Barros
In January 2024, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Violation of Restraining Order Prohibiting Domestic Violence case against Manuel Palmier Barros, who had 8 prior cases. Palmier Barros faced new charges of Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon) in February 2024.
April 2024
Andres Galvan
In April 2024, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Battery (household member) case against Andres Galvan, who had 23 prior cases. Galvan faced new charges of Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer (No Injury or Great Bodily Harm) in August 2024.
May 2024
Miguel Gasca
In May 2024, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Criminal Trespass case against Miguel Gasca, who had 8 prior cases. Gasca faced new charges of Criminal Trespass (Public) in May 2024.
May 2024
Robert Austin
In May 2024, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Shoplifting ($250 or Less) case against Robert Austin, assigned to Judge Christine Rodriguez at the time, who had 4 prior cases. Austin faced new charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) in August 2024.
November 2024
Matthew Jones
In November 2024, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Criminal Damage to Property (Under $1000) case against Matthew Jones, who had 25 prior cases. Jones faced new charges of Disorderly Conduct in December 2024.
November 2024
Benny Escalera
In November 2024, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Assault Against a Household Member case against Benny Escalera, who had 15 prior cases. Escalera faced new charges of Battery (household member) in December 2024.
January 2025
Robert Rion
In January 2025, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Assault Against a Household Member case against Robert Rion, who had 32 prior cases. Rion faced new charges of Burglary in January 2025.
January 2025
Isaiah Herrera
In January 2025, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Shoplifting ($250 or Less) case against Isaiah Herrera, assigned to Judge Christine Rodriguez at the time, who had 21 prior cases. Herrera faced new charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony in May 2025.
January 2025
David Abalos
In January 2025, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed as incompetent the Assault case against David Abalos, who had 64 prior cases. Abalos faced new charges of Battery in February 2025.
June 2025
Robert Rion
In June 2025, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Battery case against Robert Rion, who had 39 prior cases.
August 2025
Miguel Gasca
In August 2025, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer (Resisting) case against Miguel Gasca, who had 16 prior cases. Gasca faced new charges of Criminal Trespass in August 2025.
September 2025
Thomas Johnson
In September 2025, Judge Christine Rodriguez granted deferred dismissal in the Larceny (Over $250 but not more than $500) case against Thomas Johnson, who had 10 prior cases. Johnson faced new charges of Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000) in September 2025.
November 2025
Richard Sanchez
In November 2025, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Assault Against a Household Member case against Richard Sanchez, who had 49 prior cases. Sanchez faced new charges of Harassment in November 2025.
November 2025
Nathaniel Linker
In November 2025, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Criminal Trespass case against Nathaniel Linker, assigned to Judge Christine Rodriguez at the time, who had 22 prior cases. Linker faced new charges of Shoplifting ($250 or Less) in January 2026.
November 2025
Gabriel Devolk
In November 2025, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (PA) case against Gabriel Devolk, assigned to Judge Christine Rodriguez at the time, who had 17 prior cases. Devolk faced new charges of Shoplifting ($250 or Less) in March 2026.
February 2026
William Powell
In February 2026, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Criminal Trespass case against William Powell, who had 24 prior cases. Powell faced new charges of Battery in February 2026.
May 2026
Candido Robles
In May 2026, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Criminal Trespass case against Candido Robles, who had 44 prior cases. Robles faced new charges of False Imprisonment in May 2026.
May 2026
Victor Armendariz
In May 2026, Judge Christine Rodriguez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Criminal Damage to the Property of a Household Member (Under $1,000) case against Victor Armendariz, who had 28 prior cases. Armendariz faced new charges of Aggravated Assault upon a Peace Officer (Deadly Weapon) in May 2026.
Notable dispositions approved, ordered, or endorsed
| Period | Offender | Key charge(s) | Disposition by Judge Rodriguez | Priors | Notable subsequent charge(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Dana Delouth | Aggravated Battery (misdemeanor) (household member) | Notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) | 12 | Battery (household member) [Apr 2021] |
| 2021 | Misty Frazee | Battery (household member) | Dismissed by Judge Rodriguez for failure to prosecute | 8 | Battery (household member) [Sep 2021] |
| 2022 | Dana Delouth | Violation of Restraining Order Prohibiting Domestic Violence | Notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) | 19 | Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony [Apr 2022] |
| 2023 | Mike Chavez | Battery (household member) | Dismissed by Judge Rodriguez as incompetent | 31 | Battery (household member) [Apr 2023] |
| 2024 | Andres Galvan | Battery (household member) | Dismissed by Judge Rodriguez for failure to prosecute | 23 | Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer [Aug 2024] |
| 2025 | David Abalos | Assault | Dismissed by Judge Rodriguez as incompetent | 64 | Battery [Feb 2025] |
| 2025 | Robert Rion | Battery | Dismissed by Judge Rodriguez for failure to prosecute | 39 | [No subsequent listed] |
| 2025 | Richard Sanchez | Assault Against a Household Member | Dismissed by Judge Rodriguez for failure to prosecute | 49 | Harassment [Nov 2025] |
| 2026 | Candido Robles | Criminal Trespass | Dismissed by Judge Rodriguez for failure to prosecute | 44 | False Imprisonment [May 2026] |
| 2026 | Victor Armendariz | Criminal Damage to the Property of a Household Member (Under $1,000) | Dismissed by Judge Rodriguez for failure to prosecute | 28 | Aggravated Assault upon a Peace Officer (Deadly Weapon) [May 2026] |
Summarizing the record
The pattern of problematic dispositions in the courtroom of Judge Christine Rodriguez includes 2 incompetent findings, 13 dismissals for failure to prosecute, 11 State notices of dismissal (nolle prosequi), and 1 deferred dismissal. High-prior individuals in these records include David Abalos (64 priors), Richard Sanchez (49 priors), Candido Robles (44 priors), and Robert Rion (priors reaching 39). Repeat names across separate dated dispositions include Dana Delouth, Andres Galvan, Mike Chavez, Manuel Palmier Barros, Robert Austin, Miguel Gasca, and Robert Rion.
Learn More About This Judge Below
Judges Whose Courtrooms Have High Rates of Repeat Offender Case Dismissals:
Brittany Maldonado Malott is a judge in Division X of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She presides over criminal and civil matters and serves as the presiding judge for the Behavioral Health DWI Court and the Behavioral Health Court. A Democrat and an EMERGE NM alum class of 2019, she was ...
Bruce Fox is a district court judge in Division X of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. He primarily handles felony criminal matters, expungement cases, and presides over the Mental Health Court Program. A Democrat, he was appointed to the bench on February 8, 2021, by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Christine E. Rodriguez is a judge in Division II of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She primarily handles criminal matters and serves as the Presiding Judge of the court’s DWI Recovery Court Program. A Democrat, she was elected to the bench in November 2016 after defeating the incumbent in the general ...
Clara Moran is a district court judge in Division XXVIII of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. She primarily handles criminal matters. A Democrat and an EMERGE NM alum 2016, she was appointed to the bench on July 2, 2020, by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to fill a vacancy.
Douglas R. Driggers is a district court judge in Division VII of the New Mexico Third Judicial District Court in Las Cruces. A Democrat, he was appointed by Governor Bill Richardson in 2003. He has been retained by voters in multiple nonpartisan retention elections, including 2008, 2014, and 2020.
James Lawrence Sanchez is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Thirteenth Judicial District Court, based in Los Lunas, Valencia County. He presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A registered Republican, he was appointed to the bench in May 2012 by Governor Susana Martinez to ...
Jarod K. Hofacket is a district court judge in Division IV of the New Mexico Sixth Judicial District Court and serves as Chief Judge of the entire district. He presides over general jurisdiction cases in Luna County. A registered Republican, he was appointed to the bench on October 21, 2016, by Governor Susana Martinez. He ...
Jennifer J. Wernersbach is a district court judge in Division XVI of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. She primarily handles felony criminal cases, appeals from Metropolitan Court, bind-overs, detention hearings, and other criminal proceedings. A Democrat, she assumed the bench on February 5, 2021, following appointment by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Jill M. Martinez is a judge in Division VIII of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She serves on the DWI Bench Book Committee and instructs on the Fourth Amendment for the Judicial Education Committee. A Democrat, she won the 2014 Democratic primary and general election.
Joshua J. Sanchez serves as a judge for Division IV of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in New Mexico. He is also the Chief Judge of the Metropolitan Court, a position he was elected to by his peers in April 2023. A Democrat, he was appointed to the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court by Governor Michelle ...
Manuel I. Arrieta is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Third Judicial District Court in Las Cruces. He handles a variety of civil matters, including contract disputes, personal injury claims, land use, and other civil litigation. A Democrat, he has served on the court since his appointment in January 2009 ...
Vidalia G. Chavez is a judge in Division XIV of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She handles civil disputes (up to $10,000), landlord-tenant matters, and other civil dockets. A Democrat, she won the 2014 general election, defeating Peggy Ann Holguin with 50.9 percent of the vote.