Law enforcement agencies in New Mexico reported 55 hate crime incidents in 2020, an increase from 50 reported the year before, adding urgency to an FBI campaign to get victims to come forward.

The data was included in the “Hate Crime Statistics, 2020,” a report released by the FBI on Aug. 30.

“The FBI wants everyone in New Mexico and across the nation to know that we are going after hate crimes,” Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda said. “There is no place in our communities for hate. Anyone who was a victim or a witness to a hate-related incident is encouraged to report it to law enforcement and the FBI at 1-(800) CALL-FBI.”

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ANGRY CUSTOMER
Gallup, July 22

The T-Mobile store at 819 U.S. Hwy. 491 sustained property damage after an unruly customer walked inside and demanded customer service resolve something concerning his account.

Staff told Gallup Police Officer Julio Yazzie that the customer, later identified as Ray Reitzel, 55, of Gallup, entered the store and began yelling at employees. Reitzel became more agitated when the store staff said they would not be able to resolve his issue and he knocked an iPad out of one woman’s hands and it hit the floor damaging the case. Then he reportedly pulled out the phone stands from a display.

One member of the staff tried to return Reitzel’s phone when she...

Geno Antonio
July 27, 7:12 pm
Aggravated DWI

While getting change at the Magic Carwash, 1335 W. Jefferson Ave., a man returning to his vehicle said he was almost hit by a white Chevrolet Impala. He told Gallup Police Officer Patrick Largo he had to jump out of the way and when he did, the car hit a pole.

He approached the driver and suggested he turn off the ignition and exit the car. The driver did not turn off the vehicle. The female passenger left the car.

The witness said the driver hit the car wash building several times, then managed to get the car unstuck and left. The caller followed him until officers made contact.

Largo investigated the incident and stated in his...

Brandon Charley, 36, of Prewitt, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty on Sept. 8 to voluntary manslaughter in Indian Country.

In the plea agreement, Charley admitted that on June 24, 2018, he intentionally shot and killed a man in Prewitt on the Navajo Nation reservation. Charley also admitted that when he shot the victim, he did not have an objectively reasonable belief that anyone was in imminent danger.

Charley is currently in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled yet. He faces up to 15 years in prison.

The Gallup Residency Agency of the FBI, New Mexico State Police, McKinley Sheriff’s Office, and the Navajo Nation Department...