Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman provided updates on recent law enforcement actions and court outcomes through a series of posts on August 19, 2025. The statements highlighted the results of "Operation Route 66," a multi-agency initiative targeting major crimes in Albuquerque, as well as the sentencing in a high-profile criminal case.
In an update posted at 15:32 UTC, Bregman announced: "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Albuquerque, NM -
OPERATION ROUTE 66 CRIME REPORT UPDATE — MAJOR CRIMES DISRUPTED
Launched in February 2025, this aggressive, multi-agency initiative has led to:
• Over 950 arrests, including 11 homicide suspects
• Recovery of more than 80 stolen https://t.co/3J363aqsQc".
A follow-up post included a link to further information: "https://t.co/JBMP5KpJEy".
Later that day at 18:01 UTC, Bregman reported on the outcome of a significant legal proceeding: "MAN SENTENCED TO NEARLY TWO DECADES IN PRISON FOR KIDNAPPING, COLD CASE RAPE
Today, a judge sentenced Erik Lea to 18 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department following his conviction in May for First-Degree Kidnapping and two counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration. In 2006, https://t.co/fVgWWkGPRv".
Bregman serves as the District Attorney for Bernalillo County, which includes Albuquerque. His office oversees prosecutions and coordinates with local law enforcement agencies. Operation Route 66 was launched earlier in February as part of efforts to address violent crime trends in the region. Multi-agency operations such as these are designed to pool resources from city police departments and other entities to disrupt organized criminal activity and apprehend suspects wanted for serious offenses.
The sentencing referenced by Bregman involves Erik Lea’s conviction for crimes committed nearly two decades prior. Cold case investigations often require collaboration between prosecutors and investigators over many years before resulting in prosecution and sentencing.
