BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

A preliminary examination before Los Alamos Magistrate Judge Catherine Taylor has been set for Jan. 22, 2026, Trae Jose Manuel Echave Perez, 28, of Los Alamos on one count of aggravated battery against a household member (great bodily harm), two counts of battery against a household member and one count of assault against a household member.

According to Magistrate Court documents, Los Alamos Police Department Corp. Gilbert Padilla and three other officers responded November 4 to a report of a domestic incident involving Perez from the alleged victim who had driven to the LAPD parking lot. Corp. Padilla’s report indicated that he observed bruising on her face. Los Alamos Fire Department EMS personnel were called to the area but the alleged victim refused transportation to Los Alamos Medical Center. The affidavit for arrest filed by Corp. Padilla indicates that Perez showed up at the parking lot and officers took the alleged victim into the LAPD lobby for her safety. After she was interviewed, officers took photos of her injuries including a cut inside her lip. Perez was allowed to leave the scene but charges were filed against Perez and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The prosecutor for the case is Asst. District Attorney Elizabeth Counce and the defense attorney is William Snowden.