On April 1, 2025, New Mexico State Police were called to Presbyterian Hospital in EspaƱola after a 15-month-old child was brought in unresponsive. The infant later died, and an investigation revealed exposure to Fentanyl was the cause.
Authorities learned that the childās mother, 26-year-old Ariana Vigil, had left drug paraphernaliaāspecifically burnt foilāon the floor of her home. Vigil told investigators she had temporarily placed the child on the floor while tidying the bed and later noticed the child may have mouthed the contaminated foil. After rinsing the childās mouth, she monitored them for approximately 10 minutes before the child became unresponsive.
Investigators with the NMSP Investigations Bureau later obtained a search warrant for the home, where multiple items linked to narcotics use were discovered. Vigil admitted to smoking Fentanyl and knowingly leaving used drug materials within the child’s reach.
She was arrested and booked into the Rio Arriba County Detention Center, facing charges of Child Abuse Resulting in Death and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Sierra County ā Cloud Storage Investigation Uncovers Disturbing Child Exploitation Materials
In a separate investigation, New Mexico State Police, in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force agents, tracked a cyber tip to a Synchronoss Technologies cloud account containing images of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
The account was traced to 44-year-old John Palmerin. Federal subpoenas issued to Google and Synchronoss confirmed Palmerin as the subscriber linked to both the phone number and email address associated with the disturbing content.
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A search warrant was executed at Palmerinās residence on April 2, 2025. Investigators uncovered additional illicit materials on various digital devices. Palmerin was taken into custody and charged with Sexual Exploitation of Children (Possession). He is currently being held at the Sierra County Adult Detention Center.
Authorities praised the joint effort between agencies, emphasizing the continued commitment to safeguarding children and holding offenders accountable.
Las Vegas, NM ā Argument Between Men Ends in Deadly Shooting
Later on April 1, a deadly shooting occurred at a property on Prairie Hill Road in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Officers from the New Mexico State Police were dispatched around 1:30 p.m. following reports of gunfire.
Responding officers found 20-year-old Trevor Szalai lying on the ground, receiving aid from another man identified as 21-year-old Cody Ramone. A shotgun was also found nearby. Despite efforts from first responders, Szalai was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation revealed the two men had been involved in a heated argument that escalated into a physical confrontation. During the altercation, a shotgun was introduced and ultimately discharged, fatally striking Szalai.
Ramone was arrested at the scene and booked into the San Miguel County Detention Center on a charge of second-degree murder. The case remains under active investigation.
