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One arrest leads to another

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McKinley County Sheriff Sgt. Tammy Houghtaling and several deputies were dispatched to the Grand Canyon Trailer Park in Gamerco Jan. 3 in connection with a report of several intoxicated people.

When she arrived, she approached the driver, who was identified as Naomi Hayes, 32, of Mentmore. Houghtaling said she could smell alcohol coming from inside the vehicle.

Hayes said she had not been drinking, but Houghtaling said she could smell liquor on her breath. When Houghtaling told her this, she said she had been drinking earlier. She added that she had gone to her sister’s house to pick up a lighter she had forgotten.

The ground was snowy, but the snow was melting so Houghtaling asked her if she was willing to take the standard field sobriety tests and she agreed. She took the tests, but exhibited several clues indicating that she was intoxicated, so she was arrested and charged with DWI.

When Hayes was placed into Houghtaling’s unit, she was asked if she was willing to take a breath alcohol test. She refused and began kicking the inside of the unit. She was told to stop or risk being charged with criminal damage to public property.

Hayes refused to take the breath alcohol test.

When Hayes was searched, officers found a baggie containing a white crystal substance inside her bra. Hayes was charged with possession of a controlled substance, as well.

Houghtaling said she checked on the other individuals in the vehicle. None of them had outstanding bench warrants.

One of the passengers, Fannie Whitegoat, was found to have a handgun in her purse and no carry permit. She said she did not need one on the reservation. She also said that she did not carry the permit with her. Whitegoat was arrested for negligent use of a firearm. She showed signs of intoxication and was given a portable breath test. She posted .26.