Albuquerque, NM – Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that the New Mexico Supreme Court declined to review the Court of Appeals decision to uphold the district court decision to hold Teri Lee Sanchez in custody until trial, without bond. Her co-defendant, James Stewart, is also being held without bond pending trial.
“I am grateful for the Supreme Court’s denial of review, which makes our state safer for child trafficking victims,” said Attorney General Hector Balderas. “The Office of the Attorney General stands by its petition to detain Teri Sanchez and believes she is dangerous and that no release conditions will reasonably protect any other person or the community. We intend to further advise the district court about her dangerousness and inability to follow the district court conditions of release on September 18, 2018.”
Sanchez and Stewart are accused of various crimes relating to the alleged abuse and prostitution of their 7-year old daughter over the course several years.
The district court will hold a hearing on September 18, 2018 regarding possible violations of the no contact order filed by prosecutors.