New Mexico DAs partner with feds to fight violent crime

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Some New Mexico district attorneys will help federal prosecutors put away some criminals as part of an ongoing initiative to fight violent crime. On Thursday four prosecutors from the 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office in Albuquerque were named special assistant U.S. attorneys. The move goes along with the state's ongoing initiative to prosecute people with long criminal histories in federal court, where the sentences are often harsher, instead of state court. Supporters of the project say New Mexico's laws don't have the teeth to go after repeat offenders the way federal sentencing guidelines do. For example, a felon in possession of a firearm conviction carries an 18-month sentence in state court. The same conviction in federal court would carry a minimum of 15 years.