AP crime briefs

Mayor-elect barred from office, sues

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The mayor-elect of a troubled New Mexico border town is turning to the state Supreme Court to help get him into office.

The high court scheduled arguments Tuesday on the request by Daniel Salinas, who has been barred from taking office in Sunland Park by the terms of his release from jail. He faces charges that he tried to force an opponent out of the mayoral race with a secretly taped video of the other man getting a topless lap dance.
Salinas’ attorney asked the court on Wednesday to direct the 3rd Judicial District Court to revise an order that prevents him from going to City Hall or having any contact with any Sunland Park workers.

Under state law, Salinas must be sworn in by April 5 or forfeit the seat. But the city clerk must administer the oath.

Salinas’ attorney argued the court order violates his constitutional rights and amounts to the court indirectly interfering with an election, The Las Cruces Sun-News reported. Salinas, the city manager and another city worker face extortion charges in the alleged plot to force Gerardo Hernandez out of the mayor’s race. Salinas won by 88 votes after being arrested on the charges, despite an attempt to halt the election due to what the secretary of state said was evidence of widespread voter fraud.

Hernandez said he expects to file an appeal of the results next week. The case was one of several being investigated in the troubled town near Texas and the Mexican border. Several current and former city officials have been arrested on voting fraud charges. Salinas and acting Police Chief Luis Monarez were arrested last week on bribery and conspiracy charges. In that case, Salinas allegedly hired Monarez in exchange for persuading his sister not to run against a Salinas ally in a city council race. The city council this week voted to promote Sgt. Jamie Reyes to the police chief’s job.

Cops: man kills self, neighbor over music

ROSWELL, N.M. — Roswell police say loud music led a man to shoot his neighbor then turn the gun on himself. Police tell KRQE-TV 51-year-old Monico Carbajal was upset with his 26-year-old neighbor, identified as Roman Hernandez, for playing his music too loud Monday night.

Police say Carbajal confronted Hernandez and demanded he turn it down.

The two men argued and that’s when police say Carbajal went home, got a gun, and then returned and shot Hernandez.
Police said Carbajal went back to his home and killed himself. Hernandez was flown to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, in serious condition.