Federal prosecutors say two men were caught carrying loaded firearms near Hermosa Heights Elementary and a third admitted firing shots at Young Park and possessing a gun with an obliterated serial number

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - Three Las Cruces men have pleaded guilty to federal firearms charges stemming from a September 2025 shooting investigation near Young Park and Hermosa Heights Elementary School, federal prosecutors announced Friday.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, Las Cruces police responded to reports of shots fired at Young Park on Sept. 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 while carrying loaded firearms.

Prosecutors said Orta was carrying a handgun and Mendoza had a partially disassembled pistol loaded with two rounds of ammunition. Both later admitted knowingly possessing the firearms within 540 feet of school property and pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm in a school zone.

Both men were intoxicated and were initially arrested on state charges of negligent use of a deadly weapon, according to prosecutors.

Investigation points to third man

Investigators later searched Orta’s and Mendoza’s phones and reviewed social media messages discussing the shooting.

Federal prosecutors said those messages identified Luis Angel Ruiz, 23, as the person who fired the shots at Young Park and claimed ownership of the pistol found with Mendoza.

Investigators said they corroborated that information through eyewitness accounts, social media posts showing Ruiz with the firearm and ballistic evidence.

On Sept. 24, 2025, Las Cruces police stopped Ruiz for traffic violations and arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Officers recovered four firearms from the vehicle, including a handgun with an obliterated serial number, according to prosecutors.

Ruiz admitted the firearms belonged to him and later acknowledged knowing the serial number on the handgun had been obliterated. Investigators also recovered social media messages in which prosecutors said Ruiz attempted to sell the gun.

Ruiz pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm in a school zone and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

One sentenced, two await sentencing

Orta has been sentenced to six months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Mendoza faces up to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. His sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

Ruiz also faces up to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

The FBI’s Southern New Mexico Safe Streets Gang Task Force investigated the cases with assistance from the Las Cruces Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo is prosecuting the cases.