Police Blotter: Man wanted on drug charges captured

MCKINLEY COUNTY – On Jan. 30, around 8:30 p.m., New Mexico Motor Transportation Police Department officers working the Gallup Port of Entry arrested a suspect wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service, according to a news release from the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.

The suspect, identified as Bryant Douglas Black, 50, had an outstanding warrant for drug charges out of the state of Texas. The officers, in performing their duties at the Port of Entry, came into contact with Black, who was driving a commercial motor vehicle.

Upon identifying Black, the MTPD officers confirmed the validity of the warrant for Black and took him in to custody. The US Marshals Service was notified of the arrest.

Black was booked into the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on a charge of fugitive from justice and is being held for agents of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Individuals charged for drug trafficking

MCKINLEY COUNTY – The New Mexico State Police recently concluded a yearlong investigation into narcotics trafficking in the Gallup area. The investigation involved several different drug trafficking organizations operating in the area selling various types of narcotics, including methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana. Charges from this investigation include distribution of marijuana, trafficking a controlled substance and various conspiracy charges, which stem from narcotics transactions in McKinley and Bernalillo counties.

Assisting the New Mexico State Police with this investigation was the 11th Judicial District Attorney’s Office as well as the Albuquerque Offices of the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Homeland Security Investigations component of the Department of Homeland Security.

The individuals charged and/or arrested include:

• Delbert Hicks, 47, Gallup.
• Brian Hoskie, 26, Gallup.
• Darrell Benally, 23, Gallup.
• Nassar Hamayel II, 22, Gallup.
• Dmar Elleby, 21, Gallup.
• Saed Al-Assi, 37, Gallup.
• Debbie Olivas Al-Assi, 40, Gallup.
• Alyssa Romero, 23, Gallup.
• Richard Buhr, 31, Gallup.
• Daryl Desiderio, 20, Gallup.
• Kevin Billsie, 34, Gallup.
• Quintonia Baker, 24, Gallup.
• Lonnie Martinez, 43, Gallup.
• Renee Becenti, 31, Gallup.
• Charles Vargas, 37, Gallup.
• Mohammed Uwies, 46, Gallup.
• Phillip Warren, 53, Gallup.
• Adrian Rios-Beltran, 25, Gallup.
• Corene Jimmie, 28, Crownpoint.
• Cassandra Jimmie, 34, Crownpoint.
• Lyle Cayatineto, 32, Crownpoint.
• Jonathan Thompson, 27, Thoreau.
• Shane Hardy, 27, Navajo.
• Eric Martinez, 35, Albuquerque.
• Toni Moya, 31, Albuquerque.
• Phillip Barrios, 36, Albuquerque.
• Kevin Romero, 33, Albuquerque.

All of the individuals face state or federal charges, and additional arrests and charges related to this investigation are forthcoming. The narcotics seized during the course of the operation included approximately 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 10 ounces of heroin, 1.5 ounces of cocaine, 18 pounds of marijuana and 128 prescription pills. Estimated street value of the narcotics seized is approximately $100,000. Also seized during the course of the operation were three firearms utilized in the distribution or trafficking of narcotics along with $30,000 in U.S. currency.

The successful investigation and prosecution of these offenders and criminal organizations impacts not only the availability of illegal narcotics in the area, but other related crimes as well (including property crimes). Agents commonly saw the presence of marijuana in conjunction with other “hard” drugs, such as methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.

State Police Deputy Chief David C. Martinez stated, “We know that illicit drug abuse and distribution cause a variety of negative issues, including the destruction of families and communities alike. The New Mexico State Police is committed to addressing quality of life issues in rural communities like Gallup and will continue to address the needs of the citizens of New Mexico.”

Shonto man gets seven years for stabbing

PHOENIX — On Feb. 9, Norman George Begay, Jr., 31, of Shonto, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to seven years’ imprisonment for stabbing his victim, resulting in serious bodily injuries.

Begay pleaded guilty on Sept. 22, 2014, to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, occurring on the Navajo Indian Reservation.

Hotevilla resident sentenced for abuse of minor

PHOENIX — A Hopi Reservation resident has been sentenced for sexual abuse of a minor.

U.S. District Judge Neil V. Wake Monday sentenced Devonte Lee Silas, 19, of Hotevilla, Ariz., to 43 months in federal prison.
Silas was also sentenced to a life term of supervised release following his release from prison. On Nov. 20, 2014, Silas, a member of the Hopi Tribe, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse of a minor, occurring on the Hopi Reservation.

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