District Attorney
Ryan Suggs
Ryan Suggs is a dedicated public servant, veteran, and legal professional with a distinguished career spanning law enforcement, criminal justice, and legal practice. A proud native of Tularosa, New Mexico, Ryan is a U.S. Armed Forces veteran, having served a tour overseas before returning to New Mexico to continue his service to the state.
He holds a Master’s in Criminal Justice from New Mexico State University and a Juris Doctorate from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, MN. Ryan’s career with the New Mexico State Police spans over two decades, where he served in multiple leadership roles, including Patrol Officer, Narcotics Agent, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Major, overseeing the Investigations Bureau. He later rose to the rank of Deputy Chief, where he managed the Internal Affairs Division, Research & Development Bureau, and the State Police Academy.
In addition to his law enforcement and military experience, Ryan served nearly six years as the presiding judge at Otero County Magistrate Court, taught criminal justice courses at the collegiate level, and held positions as Staff Attorney for the 12th Judicial District Court and a contract prosecutor.
Elected in 2024 as District Attorney for the 12th Judicial District, Ryan is deeply committed to upholding justice and protecting his community with integrity, drawing on his broad background in law enforcement, military service, and the legal profession.
Supervising Prosecutors
Michael Heitz
Chief Deputy District Attorney
Chief Deputy District Attorney, Michael Heitz, graduated from University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government. He completed his Doctor of Law at Southern Methodist University Law School. Mr. Heitz has over 25 years of experience as an attorney both in the public and private sectors. He joined our team in the Spring of 2023 and carries a felony caseload.
Michael Tighe
Chief Deputy District Attorney
Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Tighe graduated from The Catholic University of America in 2008 and graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2013. From 2013 to 2015 he practiced tax and municipal law in New Jersey. In 2015 he moved to New Mexico to practice with the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office and became the HIDTA attorney. In 2017 he moved over to the Twelfth Judicial District. In 2020 Mr. Tighe moved to Missouri and practiced both civil and criminal law. In 2023 Mr. Tighe returned to New Mexico to work in the Eleventh Judicial District, then joined the Twelfth Judicial District Attorney’s Office 2024.
Prosecutors
Deputy District Attorney
Deputy District Attorney, Daniel H. Sewell, received a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Broadcasting from New Mexico State University and worked at KRWG-TV for ten years. Thereafter, he attended University of New Mexico Law School and graduated in 2002. Since that time, he has prosecuted criminal cases in the Third Judicial District and began prosecuting in the Twelfth Judicial District in 2021. He primarily prosecutes various types of felony cases.
Deputy District Attorney
Deputy District Attorney, Armand R. Velez, graduated from Cornell University magna cum laude, was a Ford Mellon Fellow at Yale University, and graduated from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1992. He has been an attorney in New Mexico for over 30 years, 20 of those being a prosecutor. He has also been admitted to the bars of Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Texas. He has practiced in the areas of criminal, administrative, and appellate law. Mr. Velez has been with the Twelfth Judicial District Attorney’s Office since August 2020 and prosecutes felony cases.
Attorney
Attorney, Christopher S. Suarez, graduated from Mississippi College School of Law and obtained his Masters in Legal Studies from Texas State University. He began his career as a paralegal in criminal law and clerked for various offices in Texas and Mississippi involving both trials and appeals before joining the Twelfth Judicial District Attorney’s Office in December 2021.
Attorney
Attorney, Randy Summers attended New Mexico State University where he graduated as a Crimson Scholar with a degree in Criminal Justice. He attended University of New Mexico Law School and clerked for the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office during school in their Major Crimes Division. Mr. Summers is responsible for the Magistrate Court cases in Lincoln County.
Deputy District Attorney
Deputy District Attorney, Mikel Ward, graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2019, and has worked exclusively as a prosecutor since. Prior to returning to his home district here in Otero/Lincoln Counties, he worked prosecuting primarily violent felony crimes in both the 13th and 2nd Judicial Districts. Prior to, Mikel worked in the Fire and Emergency Services since 1997, including working as a Fire and Explosions Investigator for the New Mexico State Fire Marshal, and serving as the Fire Chief for the City of Alamogordo.
Attorney
Attorney, Taylor Weary, attended Ohio State University where he completed his undergraduate degree. He then attended University of New Mexico Law School. He joins our team with two and a half years of experience in the private sector and his current assignment is over Magistrate Court cases.
Attorney
Attorney, Kohlby McInnes is a graduate of New Mexico State University with a Bachelor and Master Degree in Public Administration. Mr. McInnes served as a Village of Capitan Board Trustee prior to completing his Law Degree from Oklahoma City University. He is currently assigned to misdemeanor cases within Lincoln County.
Attorney
Attorney, Angela Waltman attended Indiana University where she received an undergraduate degree in Political Science. Furthering her collegiate work, she attended Tulane University Law School completing her Juris Doctorate. After servicing as public defender for 25 years in other states, Ms. Waltman is proud to service as a prosecutor in our office.
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