Feron Tapahia
May 30, 6:47 pm
Aggravated DWI
McKinley County Sergeant Tammy Houghtaling was parked along Highway 400 when she saw a silver vehicle traveling north flashing its headlights on and off. There was a white pickup truck speeding immediately behind it.
The pickup appeared to swerve across the road and the silver vehicle pulled off. The truck passed it, eventually stopping near the onramp of I-40, exit 33.
Houghtaling pulled up to the pickup and met the driver, identified as Feron Tapahia, 23, of Pinedale, N.M., who stated he had been drinking earlier. Tapahia’s passenger said he tried to tell Tapahia he had too much to drink, but he would not listen.
Houghtaling’s report said Tapahia had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol, and slurred his speech to the point that it was difficult to understand him. He also appeared to have vomited and told Houghtaling he was too intoxicated to take the standard field sobriety tests.
Tapahia was taken to the sheriff’s office for a breath test, but he became disorderly along the way. He began to say it was not good that Houghtaling was arresting her nephew, even though she stated repeatedly she did not know him and was not related to him. Tapahia posted samples of .26 and .25.
While Houghtaling was inside the sheriff’s office, Tapahia vomited once more. He was transported to Gallup Indian Medical Center, where he continued to be disorderly. After receiving a medical clearance, he was driven to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked.
Tapahia was released on his own recognizance.
Wade Yazza
May 29, 1:29 pm
Aggravated DWI (Third)
Metro Dispatch issued an attempt-to-locate on a black Jeep driving east on Highway 264 that was swerving across the road. McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Terence Willie traveled to the scene and located the vehicle traveling east and turning south onto U.S. Highway 491.
The Jeep turned and began traveling north. Willie caught up to the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. He met the driver, Wade Yazza, 30, of Church Rock, N.M., who failed to produce a driver’s license and registration. Yazza said he was just going to visit a friend with other passengers in the vehicle, all of whom appeared intoxicated to Willie.
Willie also noted Yazza had signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Yazza said he had not consumed alcohol prior to driving. He agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests after he turned the vehicle off. As Yazza exited, Willie saw an empty bottle of Smirnoff vodka in the front seat.
Yazza failed the field tests and was placed under arrest. The remaining passengers were released from the scene, while Yazza was taken to the sheriff’s office.
Yazza refused to give a breath sample and he kicked the back panel and side doors of the unit while on his way to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where he was booked. He later bonded out.
Austin Mooney
Sept. 28, 1:38 pm
Aggravated DWI
When Sagebrush Liquors in Yatahey refused the driver of a gray Dodge Challenge service, McKinley County Deputy Terence Willie was called out.
He spotted the car going south on U.S. Highway 491 and turned to follow. The Challenger ran a stop sign as it pulled into the parking lot at T&R Market, 667 N. U.S. Hwy. 491.
Willie met the driver, Austin Mooney, 24, whom he noted had bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol. Mooney was upset that he had been stopped and refused to cooperate with Willie’s instructions. He said “I refuse everything. I plead the Fifth.” No documentation was provided at the scene, but Willie did find an open 12-oz. container of Golden Road Mango Cart in the vehicle.
Based on the investigation, Willie placed Mooney under arrest. Mooney agreed to give a breath sample and was transported to the sheriff’s office for the test, where he posted two samples of .10.
The McKinley County Magistrate Court report said Mooney was arrested without a warrant for being under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs and having an open container in his vehicle.
Raelynn Lee
Sept. 2, 10:07 pm
DWI
New Mexico State Police Officer Rachel Hall was patrolling U.S. Highway 491 when she noticed a vehicle fail to maintain its lane near Mile Marker 1 and cause a break in traffic.
Hall pulled the vehicle over and conducted a traffic stop. She met the driver, Raelynn Lee, 27, of Gallup, who handed her a suspended license and identification card. Hall ran it through the National Crime Information Center and the license came back as suspended. She noted Lee smelled of alcohol and her eyes were bloodshot and watery. The inside of the vehicle also smelled of alcohol and Hall saw several open containers there.
When she was questioned, Lee said she had gotten off work and was going to meet her sister.
She agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests, but failed. She was placed under arrest and transported to the local state police office after agreeing to the breath test.
She posted two samples of .11 and was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where she was booked without incident.
Shane Chon
Feb. 20, 2020, 1:52 am
DWI
Gallup Patrolman Jarad Albert was dispatched to Allsup’s West, 2857 W. Hwy. 66, in reference to a suspected drunk driver. The caller stated a white Ford Taurus was traveling in the median and almost collided with the caller’s vehicle before pulling into the parking lot as Allsup’s.
Albert arrived at the scene and found the vehicle parked by a gas pump. There were two people inside, and the passenger shut off the engine at Albert’s request. He spoke with the driver, Shane Chon, 22, who had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol, and had trouble keeping his balance.
Chon admitted to drinking two 12-oz. cans of Juice beer two hours prior to driving and was heading home from the nearby Lowe’s store. He agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests, but failed them.
Based on the investigation, Albert placed Chon under arrest for DUI. Chon agreed to give a breath sample and was transported to the Gallup Police Department for the test, where he posted samples of .21, .16, and .14. The report also stated Chon threw up before being taken to the county jail and his vomit smelled of alcohol.
The criminal complaint filed in McKinley County Magistrate Court stated Chon drove under the influence and without a valid license.
