According to court records, Las Cruces Police Department officers responded to reports of shots fired at Young Park on September 6, 2025, and recovered numerous shell casings from the parking lot.
Source: Department of Justice
ALBUQUERQUE – Three local men have pleaded guilty to federal firearm charges following a September 2025 shooting investigation near Young Park and Hermosa Heights Elementary School.
According to court records, Las Cruces Police Department officers responded to reports of shots fired at Young Park on September 6, 2025, and recovered numerous shell casings from the parking lot. Shortly afterward, officers encountered John Anthony Orta, 24, and Steven Mendoza, 22, walking near Hermosa Heights Elementary School while carrying loaded firearms. Orta was carrying a handgun, and Mendoza was carrying a partially disassembled pistol loaded with two rounds of ammunition. Both men later pleaded guilty to possessing firearms in a school zone after admitting they knowingly possessed the firearms within 540 feet of school property. Both men were intoxicated and were initially arrested for Negligent Use of a Deadly Weapon under state law.
During the subsequent investigation, law enforcement executed search warrants for Orta‘s and Mendoza‘s cell phones and reviewed social media messages discussing the shooting. Those messages identified Luis Angel Ruiz, 23, as the individual who fired the shots at Young Park and claimed ownership of the pistol found on Mendoza. Investigators corroborated that information through eyewitness statements, social media posts depicting Ruiz with the firearm, and ballistic evidence.
On September 24, 2025, Las Cruces police stopped Ruiz for traffic violations and arrested him for driving under the influence. During the stop, officers recovered four firearms from the vehicle, including a handgun with an obliterated serial number. Ruiz admitted the firearms belonged to him and later admitted he knew the serial number on the handgun had been obliterated. Investigators also recovered social media messages in which Ruiz attempted to sell the firearm.
Orta and Mendoza pled guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm in a school zone. Orta was sentenced to six months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. At sentencing, which has not been scheduled, Mendoza faces up to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Ruiz pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm in school zone and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. At sentencing, he faces up to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office’s Southern New Mexico Safe Streets Gang Task Force investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo is prosecuting the cases.
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