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WEEKLY DWI REPORT

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Gino Morgan

Dec. 2, 1:35 am

Aggravated DWI (second offense)

Gallup Police Department Patrolman John Gonzales said he was dispatched to the Sports Page Lounge, 1400 S. 2nd St., in connection with a reported fight. On his way, Gonzales was told one of the fighters had left the area in a white Dodge Avenger.

Gonzales searched for the car and found it as it was headed to Interstate-40. He reportedly followed it and pulled it over.

Gonzales said he parked in front of the vehicle because another car had stopped behind it. As he parked, Gonzales reported the driver of the Dodge pulled around him and continued eastward on the shoulder of the highway.

He stopped the car again and went to talk to the driver, Morgan, 46, of Gallup. Morgan admitted he was at the Sports Page but denied he had been in a fight.

Gonzales said Morgan showed signs of intoxication, so he asked him if he would be willing to take field sobriety tests. He agreed but failed the tests and was arrested for DWI.

He later agreed to take a breath-alcohol test and the first reading showed a .18, but was flawed, and two more read .19.

John Barraza

Dec. 1, 10:00 pm

Aggravated DWI (seventh offense)

GPD Officer Jerald Watchman said he was dispatched to South 2nd Street, where a vehicle collided into the wall of the Golden Nugget at 1302 S. 2nd St.

When he arrived, Watchman reported he saw Barraza, 65, of Gallup trying to move over to the passenger side of the vehicle but his legs were still in front of the driver’s side. Barraza claimed he was not driving the vehicle, but admitted he was in a lot of pain.

Watchman said he also noticed signs that Barraza was intoxicated, so he followed him to the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital, where Barraza agreed to have blood drawn for a blood-alcohol test.

Watchman found out that Barraza had two broken bones as well as a dislocated shoulder. He was arrested for aggravated DWI, careless driving and possession of alcoholic beverages in his vehicle.

Gary Lee

Nov. 30, 10:45 pm

Aggravated DWI

GPD Patrolman Brandon Salazar said he was patrolling near 3rd Street and Coal Avenue when he saw a vehicle with no headlights on.

When he stopped the car and spoke with the driver, Lee, 42, of Gallup, he reportedly observed signs of intoxication, so he asked Lee if he would take field sobriety tests and Lee agreed.

Lee failed the tests and was charged with DWI. He refused to take a breath-alcohol test.

Michael Yazzie Jr.

Nov. 29, 8:31 pm

Aggravated DWI (second offense)

McKinley County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tammy Houghtaling said she was dispatched to the Crestview Road area, where a car was reported as stopped in the middle of the road with the driver “down and out.”

By the time Houghtaling arrived, the vehicle was gone, but other deputies found and stopped it. Houghtaling met with MCSO Deputy Johnson Lee who said he had to assist Yazzie, 28, of Mentmore, out of his vehicle and he almost fell.

Houghtaling said she asked Yazzie his name, but he refused to tell her, saying he had given it to the other officer. Seeing signs of intoxication, she asked Yazzie if he had been drinking and he admitted he’d had a six-pack of beer.

Houghtaling said she asked Yazzie if he would perform field sobriety tests and he reportedly said, “Hi Mom.” When asked why he said that, he pointed to the camera on one of the police units.

He then refused to take a field sobriety test because it was too cold outside. On the way to the Sheriff’s Office, he told Houghtaling she was stupid and a pig, and began to make oinking sounds.

He also accused her of being a racist. Houghtaling said she let him talk and didn’t reply. When they got to the Sheriff’s Office, Yazzie reportedly refused to take a breath-alcohol test.