Vinson, Malone pain local businesses

A Gallup man that was facing nine years in the slammer for larceny and burglary, but was given probation instead, is on the lamb.

According to a recent McKinley County Sheriff’s Office report, and Gallup Police Department arrest warrant, James Vinson didn’t stay out of trouble for long after being released from jail on his own recognizance Feb. 24.

He was placed on probation, but hasn’t checked in with his probation officer, and is considered an absconder.

On April 1, MCSO Deputy Roxanne King was dispatched Advanced Technical Services, 2108 Mountain View, to take a report on a fraud attempt. An ATI official said Vinson, 45, tried to cash a check for $685.78 at T&R with the ATI name printed on it.

According to the report, the manager from T&R called ATI and asked about the check. The manager was told by an ATI representative not to cash the check as he didn’t recognize the check number and Vinson’s name.

During his attempt to cash the check, Vinson became irate and demanded the check back if the store wasn’t going to cash it. So, the T&R clerk made a copy of the check and of Vinson’s ID. As a safety precaution, the clerk at T&R called the pawn location in the mall to warn them that Vinson may try to cash a check. Sure enough he made an attempt, but was refused there as well.

According to an the GPD arrest warrant for Vinson, he made some checks with Southwest Indian Foundation’s name, but placed his name and a false routing and checking account number on the check.

GPD Lt. Rosanne Morrissette has said in the past that Vinson, and like-minded crooks,  “wash” the contact information and bank numbers from checks, and put their name on there instead, so the checks look authentic.

Meanwhile, the GPD warrant states that Vinson hit Shush Yaz Trading March 31, cashing a hot check for $516.66. That same day he attempted to cash a check for $553.23 at Ted’s Pawn, but a call to the bank indicated that it was a stolen check, so that plan was thwarted.

Also wanted, as part of the check forgery ring, is Joshua Malone. Malone also has a rap sheet and cashed a check fresh off the press using Central Auto Towing and Salvage’s name.

He cashed the check for $450 at Shush Yaz Trading March 31, the same day as Vinson. A video camera captured the bogus transactions.

More stores have fallen victim to Vinson, but police are still working on compiling arrest warrants for those hot check handoffs.

To date, Vinson faces two counts of forgery and two counts of fraud. Malone, 40, currently faces one count of forgery and one count of fraud.

Police want these two men off the streets. Call Crime Stoppers at (877) 722-6161 if you have any information on their whereabouts. Callers can remain anonymous.

By Babette Herrmann
Sun Editor

Gallup police discovered a dead body near the railroad tracks by Third Street early on Sept. 4.

The apparent cause of death was impact from a passing train. No other information about the victim has been released.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, Attorney General Doreen N. McPaul, and Navajo Nation EPA Executive Director Oliver B. Whaley met with Navajo farmers in and near Shiprock, N.M. on Sept. 3 to hear their concerns regarding the alleged illegal growth and production of hemp in numerous farm plots in the area.

On June 11, the Navajo Nation filed a lawsuit in the District Court of the Navajo Nation, Judicial District of Shiprock, New Mexico, against Dineh Benally, Native American Agriculture Company, and Navajo Gold Company. The Navajo Nation alleged that the defendants are illegally growing, producing, manufacturing, transporting, licensing, and selling industrial hemp within the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation also alleged that the defendants were unlawfully issuing Navajo land use permits to foreign entities to grow and cultivate industrial hemp on the Navajo Nation.

“We made an unannounced visit to see the farms firsthand and to listen to local residents, many of whom shared very serious concerns based on their personal experiences. We saw the hemp farms for ourselves and we also witnessed many visitors, non-Navajo workers, commuting through the communities and in the fields," Nez said. "The Navajo Nation has stringent public health emergency orders in place that restrict visitors to our lands due to the threat of COVID-19 and I along with the Navajo Nation Police Department conducted a checkpoint to further investigate violations and enforce the emergency order.

"Neighbors and community members have raised many issues and concerns with the hemp fields, the local farm board, and others that need to be addressed and we need public safety, the courts, and others to work together to resolve many of these matters so that our Navajo people feel safe and able to use their fields," he said.

Many of the concerns brought forth by local farmers include the alleged unlawful use of water from the San Juan River, the safety of children and families, questionable farming permits, contamination of soil and water due to the use of chemicals and pesticides, heavy traffic in residential areas, non-Navajo workers residing in the local communities, and more.

“We appreciate those who have come forward and expressed concerns and made formal complaints related to the hemp farms operating in their communities. We are currently investigating all relevant environmental issues as well and will take appropriate action pending a conclusion of our findings in these areas,” EPA Director Whaley said.

As a part of the lawsuit filed in June, the Navajo Nation also filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and a request for a preliminary injunction in order to ensure that these defendants are prevented from continuing their unlawful operations at the expense of both the Navajo people and government. The Shiprock Judicial Court has yet to schedule a hearing on the motion filed.

“We hear the concerns and we know that many families are dealing with these activities on a daily basis. The Nation has been investigating numerous complaints, tips, and warnings about these illegal activities happening on Navajo lands while coordinating with our Federal partners. It is unfortunate that in the middle of a global pandemic the Nation is forced to take this action against one of our own, who seeks to enrich himself in blatant disregard for the laws of the Nation,” Attorney General McPaul said.

In 2018, the Navajo Nation Council amended the Navajo Nation Code to broaden the definition of marijuana and made clear that industrial hemp was not permitted on the Navajo Nation until the Navajo Nation created a regulatory system and obtained permits for it. The Nation has been diligently studying the impacts through the only legally authorized exception for a pilot research project operated by the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry in compliance with federal law. The Navajo Nation Council has never authorized any commercial production and distribution of hemp.

“We understand the economic potential of hemp production, but it has to be done safely and in accordance with the laws of the Navajo Nation. We appreciate all of the farmers who came out today to voice their concerns and we remain committed to addressing the concerns and seeking solutions that benefit our communities,” Nez said.

The Navajo Nation Council and the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President have reiterated that growing, cultivating, and marketing industrial hemp is and always has been illegal within the Navajo Nation.

Gallupian views on health order changes

Changes to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s most recent emergency public health order will loosen the reins on eateries and houses of worship.

Food and drink establishments will be allowed to provide indoor dining service at 25 percent of maximum occupancy in accordance with COVID-Safe Practices.

When Railway Café owner Katie Conn learned that inside dining would once again be permitted, she was excited. Until she found out eateries could only use 25 percent of maximum occupancy.

“Twenty-five percent — What’s the point? … At 50 percent we have nine tables, so hello,” she continued. “We were expecting 50 … Well, I guess we’re going to have to [open], but that’s not really much of a gain.”

Conn said it would probably cost her to open up inside, because she would have to have more people to take care of to-go orders in addition to serving customers indoors.

She expects to put three picnic tables with umbrellas outside and set up four or five tables inside.

At Camille’s Sidewalk Café, James Rich, was  upbeat.

“We’re excited, however we are proceeding to slowly open safely,” Rich said. “We were complying before the crisis hit, as well. Wearing gloves, washing and sanitizing hands has always been a part of what we do.”

Rich explained that with restaurants in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and on the Navajo Nation, each layer of oversight requires different levels of compliance that must be followed.

The 25 percent of maximum occupancy for indoor dining in New Mexico did not disturb Rich. It was just something more to navigate.

He pointed out that for Camille’s, one state is allowing 50 percent occupancy (Colorado) and another state is currently at zero (Arizona, where the Navajo Nation restaurants are located).

Rich said he would absolutely open the Camille’s in Gallup to 25 percent occupancy.

Even though his restaurants have been doing delivery and carry-out and tending their drive-thru windows throughout the months of the pandemic, Rich said a lot of business was lost over the summer.

That summer business helps carry the restaurants through the cooler months, he explained. But this year things could be different.

“I’m very worried about ourselves (sic) and my industry friends [as we work] to survive through the winter,” he said.

CHANGES AT HOUSES OF WORSHIP

Under the new public health order New Mexico houses of worship will be permitted to increase from 25 to 40 percent of maximum occupancy indoors in accordance with COVID-Safe Practices.

That news is thrilling to the people at The Door Christian Fellowship Church in Gallup.

Pastor Jonathan Heimberg gave the following statement.

“I appreciate the caution our leaders have shown in the face of this pandemic, and I believe the common-sense guidelines implemented in New Mexico were more sensible than in some places around the country,” he said. “…We’re looking forward to being able to help our city in a greater way through our worship service, One80 concert ministry, and addiction recovery programs.”

For the Diocese of Gallup, the response to the change will be on a case by case basis.

Suzanne Hammons, diocese director of communications pointed out that at least half the parishes are on tribal lands. Some of them are still on lockdown and the Navajo Nation will follow the guidance of tribal authorities.

Parishes in Arizona will follow the guidance of the Arizona governor.

Hammons told the Gallup Sun Aug. 26 that the Diocese of Gallup will probably leave decisions about inside occupancy increasing to 40 percent to the individual pastors’ discretion.

“It depends. It’ll be our chancellor’s call, along with the bishop,” she said, as she pointed out that Chancellor Randolph Copeland was an officer with the Air Force and worked at the Gallup Indian Medical Center as an orthopedic surgeon.

She said those skills along with his good eye for organization will help him guide Bishop James Wall, who will make all the final decisions.

“Catholics traditionally attend mass once a week on Sundays,” she said. “But a bishop has the authority to lift that obligation.

“Catholics in our entire diocese have not had the obligation to go to mass since the pandemic started,” Hammons continued. “And I don’t anticipate that that obligation will come back for a while, especially since many of our parishes and missions are still on tribal land.”

Hammons said if someone is elderly or has a pre-existing condition, or lives with someone who has such a condition, they will be encouraged to stay home.

The view from the First Baptist Church is different. Pastor Jay McCollum thinks the media has created a scare mentality among people.

While McCollum said it’s important to follow CDC guidelines, he also said, “There is a very dark undercurrent trying to destroy our nation, our economy, but certainly the Christian church.”

“We’ve got to move forward in our economy,” he said. “I think you need to start back to school. I think you need to have fall sports.

“It will probably take us a year to recover where we were in Feb. 2020, even if we find a cure for it [COVID-19].

“We’re missing hugs,” he said. “The contact with friends, family members … that part is really hurting human beings.”

From a civic perspective, Bill Lee, McKinley County commissioner for Dist. 3 sees the governor’s announcement as encouraging.

“What we’ve heard over the past several weeks [from this administration] … has been confusing,” Lee said.

“The governor has time and time again set goals. We have met them or exceeded them, but she didn’t make any changes … I see this as a positive step in getting our small businesses back open,” he told the Sun Aug. 26.

Lee recalled the story of a man who said his family and his business were his whole life.

In not taking action to reopen our economy, Lee said, “We’re destroying people’s lives and the quality of the lives of people who work for them.”

“It’s [the reopening] a long overdue step and the beginning of good things to come,” he concluded.

The new order takes effect Aug. 29 and continues through Sept. 18.

By Beth Blakeman
Associate Editor