New Mexico Security Blog by Robb Hamic

Updated- Just stop explaining... To all of those bad people out there in the blogosphere..

UPDATED with quotes at the bottom...

Occasionally, I read some of these other blogs and I see a common pattern.  Complete idiot, B.S. responses to public records, common sense issues and the truth.  It is easy to do a blog post that speaks about something you plan to do or some crazy confusion that happened but when it happens again and again it becomes obvious that it isn't honest and people stop believing you.  

Have you ever had one of those friends who "always had an excuse for everything?"  This is what I am talking about with some of these blogs or commenters out there.  

Right now there are dozens of Legit Security Employees who have depended on its owners to make good on checks written to them.  They cashed these checks, deposited them into their bank accounts and spent the money- like everyone else would to pay bills, rent, mortgage, car payments, groceries, etc.  Now the check bounces... Every check that they have written since the deposit also bounces, except now they have to deal with the $35 fee for each check from the bank, another charge from the person that they wrote the check to and even possible criminal actions against them (the employee).  This is NOT RIGHT.

I might be the blogger of bad news but more likely I am just providing an outlet for these guys and gals to send their information and share their stories.  Stop diverting the responsibility to me- Legit Owners and bloggers.  I did not create this situation, you did.  I am just around to report about it and advocate for YOUR EMPLOYEES and the people who are getting lied to (that is a broad category).  The fact that you post bible verses or say that you go to church has no bearing on your lies, deception and bad business practices; it is just a DIVERSION and I think everyone sees right through it.   I know I do.

They next few days and weeks are going to be interesting.  As always, stay tuned, watch the news, listen to the radio and keep checking new court cases as I think that some of these criminal charges are finally hit.  Hopefully the NM Tax Fraud Unit is completing their investigation together with the Bernalillo County District Attorney and Taos County District Attorney.

For anyone who is interested, Gil Baca is trying to get out of the Skillstorm FRAUD, Theft lawsuit by saying that he wasn't involved in the firm in the past or present.  There is a hearing coming up on May 11 at 9:05 in Judge Rivera's District Court room (Bernalillo County).  You should show up and watch because it might be funny to see him try and "wiggle" out of this.

I have received much information from current Legit employees who say Gil Baca is still in charge or having a big part of the management of this firm.  Please forward me more evidence and documentation...  robb@callsummit.com

Quotes from Legit Security Guards written statements:

"The guard I replaced quit because he was not paid over $2000 in wages.  He filed a complaint with the Taos County District Attorney's Office."

"Guards must rent their uniforms having $5 deducted from each week's pay.  I have yet to receive my uniform and am currently borrowing my Lieutenant's uniform.  I have been employed with Legit since around the first of April."

"Legit did NOT take my fingerprints and does NOT require drug testing of their guards."

"Thank you for your time and concern regarding the illegal and unethical practices of Legit Security upon their guards.  I pray that something changes soon.  I can't conceivably continue to work long. hard hours for NO PAY."

~Originals on file

Legit Security's employees are calling because payroll checks are bouncing...

April 30, 2009- Albuquerque, NM--    I have received several calls and e-mails from Legit Security employees about bounced payroll checks.  It is my understanding that three Legit Security Guards in Taos have filed criminal charges with the District Attorney's Office in Taos and one has pursued a complaint with the Department of Labor because he has worked for the company for 30 days without pay.

Legit's Santa Fe officers are calling with the same complaints of bounced payroll checks, unpaid wages and layoffs due to clients quitting service.

Of course, it is against NM Wage Law to issue worthless payroll checks and not immediately redeem the check plus fees.  Issuing worthless checks hurts the employee and their families.  Issuing worthless checks and non-payment of wages is cause for immediate revocation of Legit's security company license.

Employees who have received worthless checks should contact your local district attorney and the Private Investigator Board to report these violations of law- 505-476-4909.  This isn't the first time that Legit has issued many worthless checks.  Don't work for free and without pay.  Unemployment pays 66% of your pay and you can collect this amount while you find a job with a company that takes its responsibilities seriously...

Contact me with your information concerning lost wages, worthless checks and unpaid wages.  I will forward your information to the right people.  robb@callsummit.com

Good Luck!   

Albuquerque's Legit Security updates (many, many) A must read for anyone who cares!

April 27, 2009- Albuquerque, NM-- The NM Security Blog- Legit Security index page has been updated with tons of new information, while other evidence is still being investigated.

CLICK HERE to go there for tons of updates...

Legit Security's New Corporate Structure...(4-9-09)

President- Charles Chavez

Vice President- Matt Hibben

Treasurer- Justin Crowder

Director- Joe Stidham

Chairman of the Board- Gil Baca III

Deputy Chief- Nathan Cox

Why does the company have everything listed under Legit Security Inc., but have its NM Trade PPO (security license # 2104) under Legit Enterprises, City of Albuquerque Business license under "Legit Enterprises," Federal Tax Liens, etc.?

Suicide by security officer?

Strange news from www.privateofficer.com

Fayetteville Ark. April 24 2009 Police say that a shoplifter being detained by loss prevention agents at a local Wal-Mart pulled a knife while in the security office and began stabbing himself and cutting his neck.

Officers arrived to find the suspect bleeding from his throat and neck area still holding the knife and was able to subdue him and transport him to an area hospital.

The shoplifter died a short time later.

Police say that the man had a prior felony record and it is not known why he committed suicide but the investigation is on-going.

770 KKOB's Peter St. Cyr covers the Fileberto Baca trial (former APD officer indicted for forgery) Albuquerque Security

April 22, 2009- Albuquerque, NM-     Peter St. Cyr, reporter for 770 KKOB, is covering the Filbeberto Baca trial in District Court today.  Baca was indicted for forging an RLD document stating that his security company had a license, when it had none.  Baca operated and profited from unlicensed companies for years.  Read the story that went out on the radio today:

A FORMER ALBUQUERQUE POLICE OFFICER IS GOING TO TRAIL TODAY.  FILBERTO BACA,  A RETIRED APD SERGEANT, MADE HIS NAME IN THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY.  BUT,  LAST MAY HE WAS INDICTED ON TWO FORGERY CHARGES. BACA RAN SEVERAL SECURITY BUSINESSES IN THE DUKE CITY WITHOUT A LICENSE.  PROSECUTORS SAY HE FORGED A LETTER ON STATE LETTER HEAD TO SHOW CLIENTS HE HAD A NEW MEXICO PRIVATE PATROL OPERATOR'S LICENSE.  IF CONVICTED BACA COULD GET UP TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON AND FINED $10-THOUSAND DOLLARS.   THREE  OTHER SECURITY COMPANY OWNERS WERE ARRESTED LAST YEAR.  ONE IS ACCUSED OF RUNNING A PROSTITUTION BUSINESS.   

A FORMER APD SERGEANT, INDICTED ON FORGERY CHARGES, IS HEADING TO COURT TODAY.  770 KKOB'S PETER ST. CYR HAS THE STORY LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM. 


PROSECUTORS SAY FILBERTO BACA GAVE HIS CUSTOMERS  A FORGED LETTER TO PROVE HE HAD A STATE MANDATED LICENSE TO LEGALLY OPERATE A PRIVATE SECURITY GUARD COMPANY IN NEW MEXICO.  NOW HE FACES TWO COUNTS OF FORGERY.  THE STATE'S REGULATION AND LICENSING DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THE LETTER HE WAS USING WAS FRADULENT.  JURY SELECTION IS SCHEDULED FOR 9A IN JUDGE NEIL CANDELARIA'S COURTROOM. BACA FACES UP TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON AND A $10,000 FINE IF CONVICTED.  

OK now it is Court-time...

Motion to dismiss case against Filberto Baca for lack of evidence is denied by District Judge Neil Candelaria. 

Juors coming to court now. 

Bregman says client had no knowledge of what was in envelope he delivered to apartment manager and there's no evidence he created the document.  Bregman insuates manager or other employees created the document because they had a vested interest in maintaing client base. 

District court judge Neil Candelaria declines to dismiss Count 1: Transfering forged document, but reminds Bregman that he can ask for a directed verdict after judge hears testimony and sees the state's evidence. 

The jurors completed questionaire has just been given to attorneys and prosecutors.

Jurors are entering court now for voir dere.  

Trial could take two days.  

Prosecutors say as owner Baca had motive.

Baca's case is dismissed by directed verdict.  The state didn't have original evidence..?? 

Albuquerque is a dangerous place- even for a security guard minding his own business...

You can’t be a victim because it just doesn’t happen to people who mind their own business?

 

Last night 04/21/2009 I was at a gas station in South-East Albuquerque in full uniform in a marked Security car putting gas. I received a text message on my phone, while I was reading it a Hispanic male on foot walked up to me and asked if he could borrow my phone. I told him it was a company phone so I couldn’t. He said “you’re lucky I didn’t jack (steal) it from you” I wasn’t sure if I heard him right so I asked him to repeat. He replied with “you F***** heard me, you wanna do this, I’ll f***** kill you.”  I am completely unarmed at this time. I was sure we were going to at least fight. He started to approach me aggressively reaching for his back. That’s when I was sure I was going to get shot or stabbed.

 

Luckily, I’ve received training in verbal commands and physical presence from when I worked for Robb Hamic/Summit Security and now we teach the same techniques with OverWatch Security, and believe it or not it works. A simple “Back up” in a clear loud voice not only shows your attacker that you’re not afraid, but it also draws attention to you, who wants to stab or shoot someone with a bunch of witnesses? I was ready to fight, and fairly certain that someone would call an ambulance for me when I was on the ground bleeding from being shot or stabbed. I continued using verbal commands to “Back up, Calm down” he called me a p**** and started walking away. I entered my vehicle and called the Police. He was willing to act that way to a Security guard in uniform in a marked car imagine what he’d to do someone in regular clothes!

 

I’ve received plenty of great training but I’m not bullet/stab proof and neither are you. I was minding my own business just getting gas. How many times a week do you fill up? How many times is your wife, girlfriend, or children with you? Can you stay calm yourself while being in a stressful situation?

This man could have hurt or killed me, I could have hurt or killed him all over a stupid cell phone. These things do happen, and the only thing you can do to increase your chances of survival is training. Self defense or firearms courses through Summit Self Defense, or even a physical presence/verbal command course. These things may have saved my life, or at least saved me from having to use force on an idiot who had a bad temper and a big attitude.

 

Tips for dealing with aggressive people:

Be assertive but do not talk down to them. Ie: “Back up!” not “you better back up”.

Do not be confrontational. When I was telling him to calm down I said “Look there is a pay phone right there (which there was) you can just use that, I’m sorry it’s a company phone I can’t let you use it”. Truth be told I just didn’t want some random guys face on my phone…

 

SCAN YOUR AREA: For all I knew at the time he had 3 of his friends close behind him ready to pounce on me. I was constantly scanning left----forward---right---glance over shoulder forward and repeat. (use good judgment, if they are 2 feet from you keep focused on them and their hands.

 

BY: Anthony J. Landavazo

Member, OverWatch Security, LLC

www.GoOverWatch.com

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Albuquerque security company updates; April 19, 2009.

April 19, 2009- Albuquerque, NM--     I did a quick check of court cases and other serious issues effecting Albuquerque's security companies and this is the update:

- Fileberto Baca- Set for trial 4-22-09 in Judge Candelaria's District Court room

- Legit Security- Skillstorm Security services is re-instating the District Court case against this firm for FRAUD and THEFT among other things.  I am set to testify in this case May 12, 2009.

- Stan Benavidez- This security company owner has had a lawsuit reinstated against him and his company from a bad business dealing in Colorado.  The Colorado judgement was domesticated and now Stan has been served with a Notice of Right to Claim Exemptions for Execution from a Writ.  This means that the Bernalillo County Sheriff's office will soon be paying him a visit to seize his personal property to help satisfy this judgement.  In addition, Stan's attorneys have withdrawn in another case and he is representing himself Pro-se in a District Court matter involving exposure of more than $200,000.

- AKAL Security- Had a District court case that was removed to Federal Court for Violations of the Human Rights Act in January 2009.

- Moya Security of Santa Fe- Had two additional judgements filed against it for non-payment of employee wages.

- Bobbie McMullin- His April 27, 2009 Jury trial was vacated for another dtate yet to be announced.  He had another huge action filed against him in District Court involving the same types of charges; promoting prostitution, racketeering, etc. but added tons of counts for SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN. (CR-2008-06127)

- Nathan Cox- This Legit Security manager's trial is set for April 22, 2009 in Metro Court with Judge Clinton.  

- Matthew Hibben- This Legit Security "Chief" has no trail setting yet and obtained an attorney.

- Avalanche Protective Services- Nothing... Despite me providing tons of evidence to the state about them having a CONVICTED MURDERER working for them and providing pictures of one of their guards smoking marijuana on duty and in uniform...

- All of the other approximately 100 complaints that I made last year... Nothing.

Legit Security's index page is updated with all of the new stories.

April 18, 2009- Albuquerque, NM- People can go to this one page to be able to click on all of the blog posts, documents, pictures, police reports, lawsuits and other evidence..

CLICK HERE to go there...

Albuquerque Security- Summit Security provides professional guards on time..

April 17, 2009-  Albuquerque, NM 

Don't hire an unlicensed Albuquerque security company.  We just won a bid from a security consumer that called us after contacting two of the security companies listed in the yellowpages.  Both were illegal.  One has Court injunction preventing it from doing business and no worker's compensation insurance.  The other was simply illegal with no state license.  

Is it worth saving a few dollars on a quote to do business with an illegal company?  No.

Summit Security & Investigation is fully licensed, bonded, insured and has professionally trained and background screened guards to meet our client's needs 24/7 365 days a year.  

Security is our business and we take it seriously.  Call us today and we can staff your project, event or provide permanent security to your property on a minute's notice.

Visit our company website:http://www.callsummit.com

Call us: 505-255-6063

E-mail: robb@callsummit.com

NM Security License # 2114

NM Private Investigator # 1650

Vital Protective Services still doing work despite the STATE RESTRAINING ORDER that prohibits them from working in NM!

April 17, 2009- Albuquerque, NM      It is not surprising but I have learned that Vital Protective Services is continuing to service their firm's existing contracts and bid on new business despite being ordered to stop all work immediately by the state of New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department and Santa Fe District Court.

Vital bid on a security requirement today for ............... in Albuquerque and continues to advertise in all online directories, phonebook, etc.  

01/26/2009	CLS: STIPULATED ORD
	STIPULATED FINAL ORDER
11/14/2008	OPN: APPLICATION
	APPLICATION FOR INJUNCTION FROM ENGAGING IN BUSINESS

As if this is not enough, this company has no worker's compensation insurance!  

Security buyers BEWARE!

A criminal is still a criminal. Legit Security has proven to hire people who plead guilty to crimes and even Felonies... Like- Gil Baca, its "Chairman of the Board"

Let's not get it twisted.  Legit Security's "Major" Edward J. Mighetto has been convicted on all of these below charges.  I am sure that the RLD investigator that I have spoken to is checking his license application to see if these things were disclosed and why he slipped "through the cracks" so to speak in getting a state license...  How many times should a guy get arrested before he is ineligible to be employed by a security company?

Major" Edward J. Mighetto has spent time in jail in Bernalillo and Sandoval County.  He was booked on six separate charges in Bernalillo County and two in Sandoval between 2000-2007.  These stints in jail were nothing compared to his Florida arrest/ conviction history.  

In Addition: 

Notice that he sustained guilty verdicts on these charges in Florida: Exposure of sexual organs in 1990, issuing worthless checks 1992, improper exhibition of a dangerous firearm in 1993, weapons offense 1993, check fraud 1989 and more...

Way to go Legit!  LOL.  Hopefully you have locking bathroom stalls at your office. 

Legit Security hires a NASTY CRIMINAL and the NM Private Investigator's Board issues him a guard license...

April 15, 2009- Albuquerque, NM--     OK.  This is bad, even for Legit Security of Albuquerque...  A former "Division Manager" for Legit's Santa Fe Office and now current Albuquerque Legit Security "Major" is a big-time convicted.... lots of things.  He has been in jail in Florida and more recently in New Mexico but still issued a Level 1 guard license (he reportedly carries a firearm).

This is amazing for the state of New Mexico but not the first (or probably the last) time that they issue a license to someone who is convicted of a crime or even falsifies the license application...

This guy has spent time in jail in Bernalillo and Sandoval County.  He was booked on six separate charges in Bernalillo County and tow in Sandoval between 2000-2007.  These stints in jail were nothing compared to his Florida arrest/ conviction history.  

Notice that he was acquitted of a few charges but sustained guilty verdicts on many including: Exposure of sexual organs in 1990, issuing worthless checks 1992, improper exhibition of a dangerous firearm in 1993, weapons offense 1993, check fraud 1989 and more...  See for yourself below.  

In case anyone is wondering "nolle pros" is not a dismissal.  It happens when the District Attorney just doesn't prosecute the case.  Sometimes they place people on probation in lieu of prosecution.  

This is a great example of the leadership and management at Legit Security.  So far and lately they have fired their "President" Bobby "bobbyrod" Rodriguez, Chief Matt Hibben has been arrested, Major Nathan Cox has been arrested, Division Manager Mighetto is a gross pervert who was also arrested, "Chairman of the Board" Gil Baca plead guilty to a felony and is pending indictment along with others of Legit's management staff and the company is basically falling apart...  

In a laughable "only in New Mexico" circumstance the New Mexico Business Journal gave an good place to work award to Legit while many of their former employees filed a class action lawsuit against them for unpaid wages.... As if this is not enough, the IRS has filed over $400,000 in liens against Legit Enterprises in the past couple of months...  I wonder if INC Magazine is still looking to give Legit Security a "top 100 company" award as it stated on its own fake blog?  LOL!  Way to go Legit!  This company is a lost cause.

Is the New Mexico Private Investigator and Polygraph Board breaking the law?

April 16, 2009- Santa Fe, NM    The New Mexico Private Investigator Board is breaking the law.  New Mexico State Statute requires that that the five person board consist of people who have industry related licenses and one member of the public.  In May of 2008, Butch Cassidy resigned from the Board leaving a vacancy for a PPO (security company owner).  

This position was replaced by an appointment from the Governor of Mark Smith who has no PPO license or security industry experience.  In conflict, he is rumored to have helped another security company owner start his company.  The state received many resumes and letters of interest for the Board vacancy but chose to go with an unqualified person in violation of state law.  Al Stotts is the citizen who currently fills the Board position and doesn't have to have industry experience.

I reported this violation to Kelly O' Donnell, Superintendent of RLD, in June of 2008 and the Attorney General in June of 2008 but Mr. Smith still sits on this Board almost a year after his inappropriate appointment.  I spoke to the PI Board Administrator Steve Herrera in July of 2008 and he was aware that Mr. Smith had no qualification to sit on the Board and seemed perplexed by the Governor's appointment.    

Board Members

	Term Expires
Donald C. Jochem, Chairman	06/30/2010
Jim Wilson	06/30/2009
Al Stotts	06/30/2010
Gurutej Khalsa	06/30/2008
Mark Smith	06/30/2010

 

Board Member Terms

The Board consists of five members: two private investigator members, one private patrol operator member, one polygraph examiner member, and one member who represents the public.

Board Responsibility

By law, the Regulation and Licensing Department is responsible for enforcing and administering the provisions of the Private Investigations Act. The Board is appointed to assist the Department in the conduct of examinations for licensure and in any other manner to aid in the administration of the Act. The duties of the Board include review and recommendation on the development of rules, and processing applications and complaints.

61-27B-6. Private investigations advisory board; created; members.  (Repealed effective July 1, 2012.) A.     The "private investigations advisory board" is created.

		B.     The superintendent of regulation and licensing shall appoint members to the advisory board to assist in the conduct of the examination process for licensees and registrants and to assist the department in other manners as requested by the superintendent or provided for in rules of the department.   C.     The advisory board members shall consist of at least the following:

		(1)     two private investigators;

		(2)     one private patrol operator;

		(3)     one polygraph examiner; and

		(4)     one member of the public.

		D.     Members of the advisory board shall be reimbursed pursuant to the Per Diem and Mileage Act [10-8-1 NMSA 1978] and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance for each day spent in the discharge of their duties.  E.     The public member of the advisory board or the public member's spouse shall not:

		(1)     have been licensed pursuant to the Private Investigations Act [61-27B-1 NMSA 1978], the Private Investigators and Polygraphers Act or any prior similar statutory provisions; or  (2)     have a direct or indirect financial interest in a private investigation company, private patrol company, polygraph business or a related business. Wilson, James L. 140 Private Invstgrs & Polygraph Polygrapher Active ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87102

Jochem, Donald C.

1523

Private Invstgrs & Polygraph

Private Investigator

Active

Santa Fe NM 87505

Khalsa, Gurutej S.

1268

Private Invstgrs & Polygraph

Private Investigator

Active

Espanola NM 87532

The New Mexico Private Investigator Board.. ineffective at best.

The NM PI Board met March 18, 2008 to discuss industry business and discuss the many pending complaints about unlicensed, illegal or other improper behavior by many New Mexico Security and or investigation companies.  This is an excerpt taken from the last meeting:

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Mark Smith

Jim Wilson

Deliberation/Action on adjudications, complaints and licensing matters.

NO QUORUM FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION

I guess we will have to wait another couple of months for the board to not take action on the many pending complaints and unlicensed companies.  They don't seem to be that worried about it...