Los Alamos Man Charged in Domestic Violence Case, Court Date Set

A preliminary examination before Los Alamos Magistrate Judge Catherine Taylor is scheduled for January 22, 2026 for Trae Jose Manuel Echave Perez, 28, of Los Alamos. Perez faces one count of aggravated battery against a household member resulting in great bodily harm, two counts of battery against a household member and one count of assault against a household member. These are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Court documents show Los Alamos Police Department officers responded to a domestic incident report on November 4. Corporal Gilbert Padilla and three other officers encountered the alleged victim after she drove to the LAPD parking lot to report the incident. Officers observed bruising on the alleged victim's face, and photographs taken at the scene included a cut inside her lip. Los Alamos Fire Department emergency medical service personnel were summoned, but the alleged victim declined transport to Los Alamos Medical Center. Perez was permitted to leave the scene at the time, and law enforcement later filed charges and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Counce is prosecuting the case. Defense counsel is William Snowden. The preliminary examination will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to bind the case over for trial. If the court finds probable cause, the matter will proceed to district court for further proceedings.

For Los Alamos residents the case highlights the local criminal justice steps that follow domestic incident reports, including investigative response, medical evaluation options, and court review. It also raises community concerns about victim safety and accountability. Residents seeking assistance or wishing to report domestic violence should contact the Los Alamos Police Department or local victim support services. The county will continue to follow the case as it moves through the magistrate court process.