N.M. woman mistakenly jailed for 49 days in Lea County and Arizona sues A New Mexico woman is suing Lea County and the City of Hobbs after she was incarcerated for 49 days in two states on an Arizona bench warrant that resulted from identity theft. She claims her protests to law enforcement and jail officials about her wrongful detention …

Hobbs duo charged after $50,000 stolen trailer found A Hobbs man and woman face a felony charge each after they were allegedly living in a $50,000 travel trailer that was reported stolen in west Texas. Todd Dentler, 48, and Amber Powers, 36, were arrested Tuesday on a warrant for receiving stolen property (more than $20,000), a second-degree felony. They were …

Hobbs Magistrate issues warrant list Got warrants? Contact the Hobbs Magistrate Court at 575-397-3621 or go by 2110 N. Alto, Hobbs NM 88240, to see what steps need to be taken to become compliant with the Judge’s orders. You may search for your case online at nmcourts.gov. The following warrants are at the Hobbs Magistrate Court: Case Number – Name …

Lovington man charged with fifth DWI after hitting goat A Lovington man faces a felony charge after he allegedly drove intoxicated and struck a goat while on North Lovington Highway. Dennis Lambert, 49, claims he wasn’t driving. However, he was charged with driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor (fifth offense), a fourth-degree felony; driving while license revoked, a …

Lea rejects appointing Dunford sheriff   LOVINGTON — Lea County Commissioners declined to appoint Undersheriff Tom Dunford to the vacant sheriff’s position Thursday, primarily out of concern an appointment would lower his salary significantly. Although former Sheriff Byron Wester announced his intended retirement from law enforcement in March, he later decided to stay on through April. By state law, Under-sheriff …

Lea rejects appointing Dunford sheriff   LOVINGTON — Lea County Commissioners declined to appoint Undersheriff Tom Dunford to the vacant sheriff’s position Thursday, primarily out of concern an appointment would lower his salary significantly. Although former Sheriff Byron Wester announced his intended retirement from law enforcement in March, he later decided to stay on through April. By state law, Under-sheriff …

LPD officer cleared in shooting   The Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office has cleared a Lovington Police Department officer involved in an October 2017 shooting incident near the Panda Buffet restaurant. On Oct. 19, 2017, around 3 a.m., LPD arrested Lovington resident Karlo Hernandez on burglary related charges before he allegedly ecscaped police custody and ran toward the Panda Buffet …

Chance sentenced to 5 years LOVINGTON — Eunice resident Samantha Chance made an emotional statement on her own behalf before Fifth Judicial District Judge Gary Clingman Monday afternoon and was then sentenced to five years in prison for her second-degree murder conviction in Hobbsan Kasey Poole’s death. Chance, 26, appeared in court wearing bright orange following her transport from the …

Hobbsan charged after shots fired call, robbery A Hobbs man faces robbery and other felony charges after he was allegedly involved in a robbery and shooting incident last week. Emilio Tarango, 29, was charged with robbery, a second-degree felony; accessory to child abuse, a third-degree felony; accessory to shooting at or from a motor vehicle, felon in possession of a …

Albuquerque immigrant measure goes to mayor The Albuquerque City Council has approved a measure that would prevent federal immigration officers from entering a prisoner transport center without a warrant, and prohibit local tax dollars from being used to enforce federal immigration laws. The measure debated Monday seeks to bolster the New Mexico city’s “immigrant friendly” status — which briefly came …