NM elementary teacher held for trafficking coke
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — A Las Cruces elementary school teacher has been arrested at his elementary school on allegations of trafficking cocaine.
Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Department said 35-year-old Roberto Varela was arrested Thursday just before classes began at Loma Heights Elementary. Authorities say no children were present during his arrest.
Deputies said Varela’s arrest came after a sting operation and a month-long investigation.
He was booked on into the Dona Ana County Detention Center on one charge of cocaine trafficking and is being held on a $10,000 bond.
It was unclear if he had hired an attorney.
Some criminal cases in Rio Arriba County at risk
A few serious criminal cases in Rio Arriba County are in jeopardy because the law enforcement certification of a sergeant involved in the investigations is in doubt.
The Albuquerque Journal reports Sheriff’s Sgt. Vince Crespin has been arresting people, even though his law enforcement certification was suspended in August.
The suspension by the state Law Enforcement Academy Board remains in effect, according to a spokesman for the agency. But a spokesman for Rio Arriba Sheriff Tommy Rodella says the sheriff believed Crespin could continue working as a full-fledged officer while he appealed the suspension in court.
Defense attorneys, with clients charged in separate cases, including a drive-by shooting, burglary and DWI plan to look into the case closely because the charging officer had no authority to make arrests.
The District Attorney’s Office acknowledges that Crespin’s recent cases may be in trouble.
Wanted suspect found at NMSU branch campus
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CARLSBAD, N.M. — A drug task force in southeast New Mexico has picked up a man wanted on drug charges. Pecos Valley Drug Task Force Commander Carroll Caudill says they arrested 44-year-old David Gomez Martinez on the New Mexico State University-Carlsbad campus Wednesday.
Caudill says agents learned that Martinez was on the campus. Martinez is listed as an absconder on the New Mexico Corrections Department website.
A news release says Martinez was found to be in possession of heroin, marijuana, crack cocaine and methadone tablets.
Agents said Martinez was arrested immediately and taken to the Eddy County Detention Center for booking. He remains incarcerated pending an appearance in court.
Caudill said the investigation continues and more arrests are expected.
