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Gallup PD Narcs raid four locales

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Busy start to 2016

Gallup Police Department’s narcotics division has been off to a busy start this year. Four different drug stings resulted in raids and netted 14 arrests thanks to the help of some confidential informants and uncover agents.

The most recent raid was March 4, at the home of Joseph “Spooky” Gonzales, 2580 E. Boyd Ave. At least one stolen gun, along with other guns, drugs, drug paraphernalia, and thousands in cash were confiscated from the property.

It was a three month sting GPD Lt. Matt Wright said. And it was anything but textbook. Gonzales, 30, made a run for it, but two K-9 officers were able to catch up with him and keep him at bay. The situation could have taken a tragic turn if Gonzales was able to fire the pistol that he had stowed in his belt line. But instead, he dropped the gun and was arrested moments later.

Gonzales was elusive in the months leading up to his arrest. He was wanted on a warrant for aggravated fleeing from an officer, driving while license is revoked, and open container (vehicle) issued by Magistrate Court Judge April Silversmith. And a second warrant for possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia, issued by District Court Judge Robert Aragon.

There were five other individuals arrested Friday: Billy Gonzales, Logic Montona, Devin Masci, Aaron Gonzales, and Tyson Wood.

“Billy Gonzales also tried to run, but was caught,” Wright said.

As of March 10, Joseph Gonzales is still detained at McKinley County Adult Detention Center on two, no bond holds from District Court, and a $2,000 cash only bond. The Sun was unable to obtain release information on the five others that were arrested with him March 4, as of press time.

TWO BUSTS, ONE DAY

Narcotics agents had double the trouble Feb. 19 when they raided Room 9 at the Zia Motel, 915 E. Hwy 66, and a residence on 506 S. 1st St.

Agents had their eyes on Charles Martinez and Jearlyn Malone. The duo had been allegedly selling drugs to undercover agents out of the motel’s parking lot, and in two of the rooms.

To boot, both already had outstanding warrants. Martinez, 51, for possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and Malone, 33, had a warrant for trafficking a controlled substance, also meth.

A meth like substance and paraphernalia were discovered during the raid.

As of March 10, Martinez is still in jail, being held on a $1,000 cash only bond from Magistrate Court. Malone was released on her own recognizance.

The bust at the residence, although a bit unusual, resulted in the arrests of Corey Daniel and Jeremy Henry. A concerned citizen called to report that there was the “strong smell of skunk” wafting from the residence. It turned out that the passerby was smelling marijuana.

The couple tried to make a grand escape through the back door, but were greeted by GPD Officer Jessie Diaz and his K-9 partner Kwinto, a Belgian Malanois trained to sniff out narcotics.

What appeared to be about 1 lb. of pot, paraphernalia, foil, and bongs were discovered on the property. A handgun was also retrieved from the property, GPD Capt. Rick White said.

And this duo are no strangers to handcuffs.

Both were arrested for stealing more than $3,500 worth of items from a Colorado’s man’s truck parked outside of Econo Lodge west Jan. 18. Henry was found at Motel 6 west hiding under the bed with firearms at the ready.

Back in July, Henry, 23, was arrested for a rash of residential burglaries. With this latest arrest, he’s shaping up his resume as a career criminal, and as a Gallup Sun regular.

As of March 10, Henry is still in custody on a $5,000 cash/surety bond via Magistrate Court. Daniel, 22, was released Feb. 25 on a $1,000 cash only bond.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

The Feb. 3 a drug raid at Road Runner Motel, 3012 E. Hwy 66, resulted in four arrests: Robert B. Baca, 26; Hilario Josue Garcia, 30; Benjamin Gonzales, 22; John Paradise, 25. Narcotics agents witnessed suspicious activity going on at the motel, plus all men frequenting the motel had outstanding warrants.

When the search warrant was executed, agents “observed in plain sight sheets of aluminum, [and] straws on the bed used to inhale narcotics into the body,” the search warrant states.

In the bathroom, agents found more sheets of aluminum foil, a spoon to cook heroin, and a scale likely used to weigh drugs for sale.

An undisclosed amount of what appeared to be heroin was found during the raid.

A 9mm Taurus semiautomatic pistol was found tucked in between the bed mattress and box spring. Garcia, Paradise and Baca “are all known felons and are not allowed to have a firearm in their possession,” the warrant states.

The room was rented to Jordan Strain, who was not present during the raid. Wright said charges against him are pending.

Baca was released from jail Feb. 15 on a canceled warrant; Garcia is being held on a no bond hold from District Court and his probation officer; Gonzales was held on a $1,000 cash/surety bond and was released the same day he was arrested; and Paradise was held on a $1,000 cash/surety and released Feb. 4.

“More drug raids will be done in the future,” Capt. White said. “They are not slowing down.”

He also explained that all drugs confiscated are sent to a crime lab in Santa Fe for testing. Once testing is completed, and the results comes back positive, arrest warrants will be issued.

By Babette Herrmann
Sun Editor