Police Report | FBI, Laguna PD seek help with murder

ALBUQUERQUE

The FBI and Laguna Police Department are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the person or persons responsible for the homicide of a Native American man.

On Aug. 12, Victor G. Jones, 42, was found dead in the driveway of a residence in New Laguna, New Mexico.

The preliminary cause of death was a stab wound to his chest.

Jones was a resident of Laguna Pueblo.

Anyone with information is asked to the contact the FBI at 505-889-1300 or at tips.fbi.gov.

Former Coconino Co. health official sentenced for misusing public money

KAFF News

FLAGSTAFF –Former Navajo County Health Services Director Jeffrey Lee has been sentenced to nine months in jail for misusing public money while he worked in the Coconino County Health Department.

Lee pleaded guilty last month to one count of theft and two counts of violating his duties as a custodian of public money.

According to the state’s auditor general, Lee used the county’s credit card to make 237 purchases on personal items like electronics, camping gear, tools and weight loss supplements. The purchases totaled around $84,000.

Lee resigned from the health department in 2017 and went to work for Navajo County soon after. In Navajo County, auditors found Lee made 135 suspicious purchases at places such as gas stations, restaurants and clothing stores.

Lee was originally charged with 16 counts of theft, fraud and misuse of funds, but plea bargained down to one count of theft and two other charges.

He will not only have to serve jail time, but also pay back over $82,000 to Coconino County and $1,700 to Navajo County.

Navajo Co. Sheriff’s report: Nov. 14 through Nov. 20

HOLBROOK – The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office reports the following activity from Nov. 14 through Nov. 20.

On Nov. 15, deputies observed Jonte Joe Altaha, 21, of Pinetop, being disruptive in a holding cell. Altaha was rebooked i for criminal damage.

On Nov. 16, deputies doing a welfare check in Overgaard arrested Sari Michelle Kuczynski, 53, of Overgaard, for disorderly conduct/domestic violence. Wojciech Artur Kuczynski, 51, of Overgaard, was arrested disorderly conduct/domestic violence.

On Nov. 16, during a a traffic stop on State Route 77, Greyson Cole Lackey, 23, of Phoenix, was arrested for DUI-related charges.

On Nov. 16, deputies responding to a report of an individual attempting to steal a vehicle arrested a suspect, Leona Breshears, 28, of Show Low, for criminal trespassing and burglary.

On Nov. 17, a burglary report in Heber resulted in Dean Sides, 56, of Heber, being arrested for burglary and criminal trespassing.

On Nov. 18, an inmate being booked was found to have a crystal-like substance in her possession. Kelly Vallejos, 55, of Holbrook, was charged with possession of dangerous drugs and promoting prison contraband.

On Nov. 19, a vehicle driving erratic report led to the driver, Elijah Jimmy, 31, of St. Michaels, being arrested and booked into Navajo County Jail for DUI-related charges.
On Nov. 19, deputies responding to a domestic violence call in Linden talked to the reporting party who advised he was hit in the face. Deputies arrested Mindy Penrod, 41, of Show Low, for disorderly conduct/domestic violence and assault/domestic violence.

On Nov. 19, deputies called to assist Navajo County Adult Probation, arrested Bernard Lottman, 29, of Lakeside, for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession/use of a narcotic drug.

Hiker with medical emergency rescued

KAFF News

FLAGSTAFF – Multiple rescue crews responded to a hiker with a medical emergency Saturday afternoon on the Humphrey’s Peak Trail on the San Francisco Peaks.

Crews responded to assist in the rescue of a 25-year-old Maine hiker, who was located by four unrelated hikers. Due to the location of the hiker and the unknown nature of his medical condition, a DPS helicopter was called in to help with the rescue.

At around 7:55 p.m., crews from Coconino County and Summit Fire and Medical were able to get the hiker secured and off the mountain. The patient was immediately flown to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment.

There’s no word on what caused the medical emergency or the hiker’s condition.

Authorities remind hikers to always have water, food, a fully-charged cellphone, a first aid kit and more, when you go hiking the trails around Flagstaff.

NM coordinates traffic safety blitz

SANTA FE – Law enforcement agencies will intensify their saturation patrols and DWI checkpoints to stop drunk drivers across New Mexico now through Jan. 3, 2022.

To support their efforts, the New Mexico Department of Transportation is launching a new fall/winter driver-safety campaign titled, “My Story,” which focuses on drunk driving, underage drinking, distracted driving, and seatbelt use told through the perspective of regretful drivers reflecting on the consequences of their poor choices.

According to the University of New Mexico, in 2020, there were 2,020 crashes involving alcohol, or 5.5% of all crashes in New Mexico.

That’s a higher percentage of alcohol involved crashes than any other time in the last 10 years.

The “My Story” campaign was created by RK Venture, an Albuquerque creative agency. The spots were shot using local cast and crew members in downtown Albuquerque.

The ads begin airing Nov. 23 on television and radio in English and Spanish and will also be featured on billboards statewide. Online ads will run on YouTube, TikTok, and other social media platforms.

Mike Sandoval, Transportation Secretary, said, “This holiday season, some New Mexicans will take advantage of opportunities to attend parties and gatherings. It is imperative we make the right choices to buckle-up, limit distractions, and utilize designated drivers as well as ride share programs to help ENDWI.”

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