Repeat-offender case review · 2020–2026
In the Courtroom of Judge Clara Moran
New Mexico Second Judicial District Court
25 cases adjudicated · 10 problematic dispositions
- 5Incompetent findings
- 3Failure to prosecute
- 0State dismissals (nolle prosequi)
- 1Deferred dismissals
Analysis
Repeat-offender dismissals in this courtroom
This page reviews 25 criminal case dispositions of known repeat offenders in the courtroom of Judge Clara Moran from 2020 through mid-2026. 10 of those cases ended in a non-merits resolution — 40% — 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
10 problematic · 15 not problematic, of 25 reviewed.
ProblematicNot problematic
How the 10 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 6 featured cases
January 2022
Tyler Hammond
In January 2022, Judge Clara Moran dismissed for failure to prosecute the Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) case against Tyler Hammond, who had 21 prior cases. Hammond faced new charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) in July 2022.
July 2022
Yoshua Young
In July 2022, Judge Clara Moran dismissed as incompetent the Burglary of a Vehicle case against Yoshua Young, who had 9 prior cases. Young faced new charges of Battery upon a Health Care Worker in March 2023.
October 2022
Morgan Fuller
In October 2022, Judge Clara Moran dismissed as incompetent the Robbery case against Morgan Fuller, who had 18 prior cases. Fuller faced new charges of Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle (1st Offense) in November 2022.
December 2022
Michael Garcia
In December 2022, Judge Clara Moran dismissed as incompetent the Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon) case against Michael Garcia, who had 13 prior cases. Garcia faced new charges of Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000) in November 2023.
April 2023
Andres Galvan
In April 2023, Judge Clara Moran dismissed for failure to prosecute the Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon) case against Andres Galvan, who had 12 prior cases. Galvan faced new charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) in May 2023.
November 2023
Morgan Fuller
In November 2023, Judge Clara Moran dismissed as incompetent the Battery upon a Peace Officer case against Morgan Fuller, who had 28 prior cases. Fuller faced new charges of Criminal Trespass in November 2023.
2024–2026 Continued High-Prior Dismissals and Reoffending 4 featured cases
January 2024
Orlando Esquer
In January 2024, Judge Clara Moran granted deferred dismissal in the Shoplifting (Over $500 but not more than $2,500) case against Orlando Esquer, who had 24 prior cases. Esquer faced new charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony in June 2024.
January 2024
Rachel Carpenter
In January 2024, Judge Clara Moran dismissed as incompetent the Breaking and Entering case against Rachel Carpenter, who had 13 prior cases. Carpenter faced new charges of Criminal Trespass in February 2024.
April 2024
Robert Austin
In April 2024, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Receiving or Transferring Stolen Motor Vehicles (1st Offense) case against Robert Austin, assigned to Judge Clara Moran at the time, who had 5 prior cases. Austin faced new charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) in August 2024.
May 2024
Richard Romero
In May 2024, Judge Clara Moran dismissed for failure to prosecute the Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon) case against Richard Romero, who had 36 prior cases. Romero faced new charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony in July 2024.
Notable dispositions approved, ordered, or endorsed
| Period | Offender | Key charge(s) | Disposition by Judge Moran | Priors | Notable subsequent charge(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Tyler Hammond | Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) | Dismissed by Judge Moran for failure to prosecute | 21 | Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) [Jul 2022] |
| 2022 | Yoshua Young | Burglary of a Vehicle | Dismissed by Judge Moran as incompetent | 9 | Battery upon a Health Care Worker [Mar 2023] |
| 2022 | Morgan Fuller | Robbery | Dismissed by Judge Moran as incompetent | 18 | Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle (1st Offense) [Nov 2022] |
| 2022 | Michael Garcia | Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon) | Dismissed by Judge Moran as incompetent | 13 | Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000) [Nov 2023] |
| 2023 | Andres Galvan | Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon) | Dismissed by Judge Moran for failure to prosecute | 12 | Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) [May 2023] |
| 2023 | Morgan Fuller | Battery upon a Peace Officer | Dismissed by Judge Moran as incompetent | 28 | Criminal Trespass [Nov 2023] |
| 2024 | Orlando Esquer | Shoplifting (Over $500 but not more than $2,500) | Deferred dismissal by Judge Moran | 24 | Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony [Jun 2024] |
| 2024 | Rachel Carpenter | Breaking and Entering | Dismissed by Judge Moran as incompetent | 13 | Criminal Trespass [Feb 2024] |
| 2024 | Robert Austin | Receiving or Transferring Stolen Motor Vehicles (1st Offense) | Notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) | 5 | Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) [Aug 2024] |
| 2024 | Richard Romero | Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon) | Dismissed by Judge Moran for failure to prosecute | 36 | Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony [Jul 2024] |
Summarizing the record
The pattern of problematic dispositions in the courtroom of Judge Clara Moran includes 5 incompetent findings, 3 dismissals for failure to prosecute, 1 State notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi), and 1 deferred dismissal. High-prior individuals in these records include Richard Romero (36 priors), Morgan Fuller (priors reaching 28), and Orlando Esquer (24 priors). Repeat name across separate dated dispositions is Morgan Fuller.
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