Repeat-offender case review · 2020–2026
In the Courtroom of Judge Joshua Sanchez
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
76 cases adjudicated · 42 problematic dispositions
- 1Incompetent findings
- 26Failure to prosecute
- 15State dismissals (nolle prosequi)
- 0Deferred dismissals
Analysis
Repeat-offender dismissals in this courtroom
This page reviews 76 criminal case dispositions of known repeat offenders in the courtroom of Judge Joshua Sanchez from 2020 through mid-2026. 42 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
42 problematic · 34 not problematic, of 76 reviewed.
ProblematicNot problematic
How the 42 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 13 featured cases
March 2021
Gabriel Devolk
In March 2021, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000) case against Gabriel Devolk, who had 7 prior cases. Devolk faced new charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony in March 2023.
May 2021
Candido Robles
In May 2021, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the False Imprisonment case against Candido Robles, who had 18 prior cases. Robles faced new charges of Battery (household member) in June 2021.
June 2021
Mike Chavez
In June 2021, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Battery upon a Peace Officer case against Mike Chavez, who had 18 prior cases. Chavez faced new charges of Assault Against a Household Member in March 2022.
July 2021
Miguel Gasca
In July 2021, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Non-Residential Burglary case against Miguel Gasca, who had 1 prior case. Gasca faced new charges of Burglary in January 2022.
August 2021
Morgan Fuller
In August 2021, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle case against Morgan Fuller, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 9 prior cases. Fuller faced new charges of Receiving or Transferring Stolen Motor Vehicle in August 2021.
August 2021
Manuel Corrales
In August 2021, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000) case against Manuel Corrales, who had 5 prior cases. Corrales faced new charges of Battery upon a Peace Officer in June 2022.
September 7, 2021
Cole Salazar
On September 7, 2021, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Aggravated Assault case against Cole Salazar and the Battery upon a Health Care Worker case against Yoshua Young, who had 7 prior cases. Salazar faced new charges of Receiving or Transferring Stolen Motor Vehicles (1st Offense) in September 2021. Young faced new charges of Burglary of a Vehicle in September 2021.
September 2021
Yoshua Young
In September 2021, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony case against Yoshua Young, who had 6 prior cases. Young faced new charges of Burglary of a Vehicle in November 2021.
October 2021
Matthew Jones
In October 2021, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Burglary of a Vehicle case against Matthew Jones, who had 22 prior cases. Jones faced new charges of Breaking and Entering in September 2022.
October 2021
Arthur Martinez
In October 2021, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony case against Arthur Martinez, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 4 prior cases. Martinez faced new charges of Tampering with Evidence (Highest Crime a Third, Fourth or Indeterminate Degree Felony) in March 2023.
October 2021
Domenique Sedillo
In October 2021, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Receiving or Transferring Stolen Motor Vehicle case against Domenique Sedillo, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 11 prior cases. Sedillo faced new charges of Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer in February 2022.
November 2021
Michael Garcia
In November 2021, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Battery upon a Peace Officer case against Michael Garcia, who had 10 prior cases. Garcia faced new charges of Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon) in December 2021.
December 2021
Gregory Beasley
In December 2021, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Breaking and Entering case against Gregory Beasley, who had 8 prior cases. Beasley faced new charges of Armed Robbery in July 2022.
2022–2023 Peak Volume and Same-Day Clusters 4 featured cases
January 2022
Michael Casey
In January 2022, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed as incompetent the Violation of Restraining Order Prohibiting Domestic Violence case against Michael Casey, who had 20 prior cases. Casey faced new charges of Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000) in February 2023.
May 2022
Andres Galvan
In May 2022, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Deprivation of the Property of a Household Member case against Andres Galvan, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 9 prior cases. Galvan faced new charges of Battery (household member) in May 2022.
August 2022
Richard Sanchez
In August 2022, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Violation of Restraining Order Prohibiting Domestic Violence case against Richard Sanchez, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 40 prior cases. Sanchez faced new charges of Criminal Damage to the Property of a Household Member (Under $1,000) in December 2022.
August 2023
Benny Escalera
In August 2023, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer (Resisting) case against Benny Escalera, who had 11 prior cases. Escalera faced new charges of Criminal Damage to the Property of a Household Member (Under $1,000) in August 2024.
2024–2026 Continued High-Prior Dismissals and Reoffending 24 featured cases
January 2024
Marlin James
In January 2024, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Shoplifting (Over $250 but not more than $500) case against Marlin James, who had 14 prior cases. James faced new charges of Criminal Trespass (Posted) in July 2024.
June 2024
Valentin Garcia
In June 2024, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon) case against Valentin Garcia, who had 11 prior cases. Garcia faced new charges of Shoplifting ($250 or Less) in September 2024.
July 2024
Johnny Montano
In July 2024, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Aggravated Stalking case against Johnny Montano, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 26 prior cases. Montano faced new charges of Residential Burglary in July 2024.
September 2024
William Powell
In September 2024, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Aggravated Stalking case against William Powell, who had 10 prior cases. Powell faced new charges of Shoplifting ($250 or Less) in October 2024.
November 2024
Manuel Corrales
In November 2024, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony case against Manuel Corrales, who had 18 prior cases. Corrales faced new charges of Criminal Damage to Property (Under $1000) in November 2024.
November 2024
Arthur Martinez
In November 2024, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Tampering with Evidence (Highest Crime a Third, Fourth or Indeterminate Degree Felony) case against Arthur Martinez, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 14 prior cases. Martinez faced new charges of Criminal Trespass in February 2025.
November 2024
Julianna Garcia
In November 2024, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony case against Julianna Garcia, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 28 prior cases. Garcia faced new charges of Armed Robbery in November 2024.
December 2024
Jason Rojas
In December 2024, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon) case against Jason Rojas, who had 13 prior cases. Rojas faced new charges of Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon) in December 2024.
December 2024
Domenique Sedillo
In December 2024, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Breaking and Entering case against Domenique Sedillo, who had 15 prior cases. Sedillo faced new charges of Burglary of a Vehicle in January 2025.
February 2025
Pierre Williams
In February 2025, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Littering (on public property) case against Pierre Williams, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 18 prior cases. Williams faced new charges of Criminal Trespass in September 2025.
April 2025
Marlin James
In April 2025, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Tampering with Evidence (Highest Crime a Third, Fourth or Indeterminate Degree Felony) case against Marlin James, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 20 prior cases. James faced new charges of Disorderly Conduct in August 2025.
May 2025
Jason Rojas
In May 2025, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Larceny (Over $2,500 but not more than $20,000) case against Jason Rojas, who had 17 prior cases. Rojas faced new charges of Driving While License Revoked – DWI Related in May 2025.
July 2025
Nathaniel Nunez
In July 2025, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Conspiracy to Commit Possession of a Controlled Substance (Schedules I – III) case against Nathaniel Nunez, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 32 prior cases. Nunez faced new charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony in September 2025.
July 2025
Orlando Esquer
In July 2025, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony case against Orlando Esquer, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 32 prior cases. Esquer faced new charges of Criminal Trespass in July 2025.
September 2025
Tyler Hammond
In September 2025, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Possession of Burglary Tools case against Tyler Hammond, who had 36 prior cases. Hammond faced new charges of Driving While License Revoked – DWI Related in October 2025.
October 2025
Julianna Garcia
In October 2025, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony case against Julianna Garcia, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 37 prior cases. Garcia faced new charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (PA) in October 2025.
October 2025
Domenique Sedillo
In October 2025, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Breaking and Entering case against Domenique Sedillo, who had 24 prior cases. Sedillo faced new charges of Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer (No Injury or Great Bodily Harm) in January 2026.
January 2026
Arthur Martinez
In January 2026, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony case against Arthur Martinez, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 20 prior cases. Martinez faced new charges of Battery in January 2026.
January 2026
Victor Armendariz
In January 2026, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Criminal Trespass case against Victor Armendariz, who had 27 prior cases. Armendariz faced new charges of Shoplifting ($250 or Less) in January 2026.
January 2026
Maximiliano Contreras
In January 2026, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony case against Maximiliano Contreras, who had 24 prior cases.
March 2026
Yoshua Young
In March 2026, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Larceny ($250 or Less) case against Yoshua Young, who had 27 prior cases.
April 2026
John Johnson
In April 2026, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Criminal Trespass case against John Johnson, who had 45 prior cases. Johnson faced new charges of Criminal Trespass in May 2026.
May 2026
Zachariah Ault
In May 2026, the prosecutor filed a notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) in the Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony case against Zachariah Ault, assigned to Judge Joshua Sanchez at the time, who had 24 prior cases. Ault faced new charges of Criminal Trespass in June 2026.
June 2026
Appolonia Gonzales
In June 2026, Judge Joshua Sanchez dismissed for failure to prosecute the Criminal Trespass case against Appolonia Gonzales, who had 50 prior cases.
Notable dispositions approved, ordered, or endorsed
| Period | Offender | Key charge(s) | Disposition by Judge Sanchez | Priors | Notable subsequent charge(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Gabriel Devolk | Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000) | Dismissed by Judge Sanchez for failure to prosecute | 7 | Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony [Mar 2023] |
| 2021 | Candido Robles | False Imprisonment | Dismissed by Judge Sanchez for failure to prosecute | 18 | Battery (household member) [Jun 2021] |
| 2021 (Sep 7) | Cole Salazar / Yoshua Young | Aggravated Assault / Battery upon a Health Care Worker | Dismissed by Judge Sanchez for failure to prosecute | [not listed] / 7 | Receiving or Transferring Stolen Motor Vehicles / Burglary of a Vehicle [Sep 2021] |
| 2021 | Matthew Jones | Burglary of a Vehicle | Dismissed by Judge Sanchez for failure to prosecute | 22 | Breaking and Entering [Sep 2022] |
| 2021 | Gregory Beasley | Breaking and Entering | Dismissed by Judge Sanchez for failure to prosecute | 8 | Armed Robbery [Jul 2022] |
| 2022 | Michael Casey | Violation of Restraining Order Prohibiting Domestic Violence | Dismissed by Judge Sanchez as incompetent | 20 | Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000) [Feb 2023] |
| 2022 | Richard Sanchez | Violation of Restraining Order Prohibiting Domestic Violence | Notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) | 40 | Criminal Damage to the Property of a Household Member (Under $1,000) [Dec 2022] |
| 2024 | Johnny Montano | Aggravated Stalking | Notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) | 26 | Residential Burglary [Jul 2024] |
| 2024 | Julianna Garcia | Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony | Notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) | 28 | Armed Robbery [Nov 2024] |
| 2025 | Nathaniel Nunez | Conspiracy to Commit Possession of a Controlled Substance (Schedules I – III) | Notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) | 32 | Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony [Sep 2025] |
| 2025 | Tyler Hammond | Possession of Burglary Tools | Dismissed by Judge Sanchez for failure to prosecute | 36 | Driving While License Revoked – DWI Related [Oct 2025] |
| 2025 | Julianna Garcia | Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony | Notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) | 37 | Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (PA) [Oct 2025] |
| 2026 | John Johnson | Criminal Trespass | Dismissed by Judge Sanchez for failure to prosecute | 45 | Criminal Trespass [May 2026] |
| 2026 | Zachariah Ault | Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony | Notice of dismissal (nolle prosequi) | 24 | Criminal Trespass [Jun 2026] |
| 2026 | Appolonia Gonzales | Criminal Trespass | Dismissed by Judge Sanchez for failure to prosecute | 50 | [No subsequent listed] |
Summarizing the record
The pattern of problematic dispositions in the courtroom of Judge Joshua Sanchez includes 1 incompetent finding, 26 dismissals for failure to prosecute, and 15 State notices of dismissal (nolle prosequi). High-prior individuals in these records include Appolonia Gonzales (50 priors), John Johnson (45 priors), Richard Sanchez (40 priors), Julianna Garcia (priors reaching 37), and Tyler Hammond (36 priors). Repeat names across separate dated dispositions include Yoshua Young, Arthur Martinez, Domenique Sedillo, Manuel Corrales, Marlin James, Jason Rojas, and Julianna Garcia.
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 ...
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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 ...
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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.