Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 119, No. 241 50¢ Daily / $1 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
FLORENCE, Ariz. (AP) — Independent testing of a bloodied shirt backs up the story of a deputy who contends he was shot by drug smugglers in the remote desert, officials said Thursday. The deputy dismissed speculation that he staged the incident to publicize drug and human smuggling. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office said the Arizona Department of Public Safety concluded that a bullet passed through the shirt, but that no gunpowder was found on it. - PAGE A3
October 8, 2010
Suspect in kidnapping turns self in JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
SHIRT BACKS UP DEPUTY’S STORY
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Cheryl Ortega, mother of suspect James Ortega, called the Roswell Daily Record to report that Tommy Smith turned himself into police on Thursday. “He doesn’t think it’s fair that people are saying that he raped this girl,” she said. “Every crime that’s committed in Roswell gets blamed on these kids.” The Roswell Police Department issued a press release on Wednesday stating that they were seeking
FRIDAY
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information about the whereabouts of Steven Perez, James Ortega and Tommy Smith in connection with a kidnapping and criminal sexual penetration case. Public Information Officer for RPD Travis Holley confirmed that Tommy Smith was in custody, but did not know the circumstances under which he was apprehended. Around 10 p.m. Wednesday, members of SWAT raided the Frontier Motel, 3010 N. Main Street, in response to a tip that two
The Fair puts on a show
suspects, James Ortega and Tommy Smith were staying in the motel. Holley would not reveal the source of the information, adding “if I tell you that, then people would stop calling.” According to eye witnesses, motel guests were evacuated before 12 officers entered the building, but Ortega and Smith had already left the scene. “The use of the SWAT team is standard in these situations and strictly for our protection,” said Holley. Detectives are still seek-
ing information about the whereabouts of Perez and Ortega. Steven Perez was released on bond from Chaves County Detention Center where he was being held on charges of shooting at or from a motor vehicle, and aggravated assault, both 4th degree felonies. The shooting incident took place on August, 13. Perez was also listed as person of interest in the shooting of a 16-year-old girl, along the 1100 block of East Holland Avenue on Sept. 8. Perez’s brother, Zachary
WEB
For The Last 24 Hours
• Berrendo requests hearing delay • Fun and work at the Fair • Mills crowned Fair Queen • Mcnatt’s hen wins Best in Barn • Rambo is top lamb
INSIDE SPORTS Mark Wilson Photo
The Eclipse creates swirling patterns as it takes fair-goers on a wild ride at the Eastern New Mexico State Fair, Wednesday evening.
Archuleta still employed by city MATTHEW ARCO RECORD STAFF WRITER
For most volleyball teams, falling behind 2-0 to a district foe would likely lead to a loss. That was not the case for Gateway Christian on Thursday. The Warriors (9-4, 1-1 District 7-1A) battled for backto-back wins to force a decisive Game 5 and then beat Hagerman 15-12 in that final game to capture their first district win over the Bobcats at the Red Rock Warrior Center. - PAGE B1
TODAY’S OBITUARY
• Randell Burden - PAGE A10
HIGH ...87˚ LOW ....48˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........B4 COMICS.................A6 ENTERTAINMENT.....B6 FINANCIAL .............B3 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ......A12 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ............A12 WORLD ...............A10
INDEX
Grand champion crowned
j.palmer@roswell-record.com
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
TOP 5
GATEWAY SPIKES HAGERMAN
,was found in a vacant lot near East Fifth Street, stabbed to death on Feb. 13. Holley refused to comment on whether the kidnapping incident in which Perez, Smith and Ortega are implicated are related to the Perez murder. “In our world, it is only important if there is evidence to support it. You can make your own parallels if you want.” However, he did admit that the incidents were gang related.
A city worker who recently pleaded no contest to brandishing a firearm on city property during a dispute with coworkers, continues to be employed by the city, Roswell officials said. Steven Archuleta was sentenced by a Magistrate Court judge to one year probation on Sept. 29. The decision came after he was originally charged with two counts of aggravated
assault with a firearm, following an argument outside of the city’s Department of Public Works building in August. Archuleta was accused of pointing a handgun at a coworker and stating, “Come on,” during a verbal altercation, according to court records. The incident occurred on city property and was witnessed by two employees. “At this point, he is an employee of the city,” responded Larry Fry, assistant city manager, when
asked whether Archuleta is currently a city worker. Fry declined to comment further on possible disciplinary actions, citing personnel matters. According to city personnel rules and regulations, “No employee, except authorized sworn officers of the police department ... shall be allowed to carry any firearms.” The rules go on to state that while on duty, no
in the community’s efforts to “Keep Roswell Beautiful.” “[It’s] such a wonderful enhancement to our community, that we wanted to award them and let them know how much we appreciate their adding this courtyard, and maintaining it,” Laura Read, Beautification chairwoman, said. RMAC, founded in 1935, opened its doors in 1937 and has been a longstanding cor nerstone of the Roswell community. The museum will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2012. “We are a grassroots museum,” Rufe said. “We’re heavily linked to the community … we’re really a cultural nexus for the community. The museum celebrates the arts and the history of the Southwest, so it gives people a sense of place and community.” Renee Roach, coordinator for KRB, said that the addition of the courtyard allows people to recreate in green spaces. In Roach’s eyes, this adds another dimension to the museum. “They have so many
rotating exhibits,” Roach said. “They always have something fresh and unique to come and see, and adding an outdoor space where people can enjoy nature and art at the
Mackenzie McGuire, 12, and her Class 5 entry, Cornflake, won the Eastern New Mexico State Fair Grand Champion for dairy heiffers. Daughter of Cody and Mikey McGuire, Mackenzie represented the Chaves County 4-H. She has been raising dairy heiffers for nine years. Reserve Champion went to Andrew (AJ) Vaz, 15, sophomore at Goddard High School and the Chaves/Goddard FFA. The son of Andy and Lorri Vaz., his entry was from the Class 7. According to New Mexico State Fair rules, the class designations are ranked according to age with Class 1 being a spring heifer born after Feb. 28. Class 2 is a See AWARDS Page A8
Thursday, Oct. 7
Noon.................................................GATES OPEN 12 p.m.–Close...............................Roswell Fine Arts 4 p.m.............................................BARN YARD JUDGING 4:30-9 p.m................................Art show DemoPainting 5-6 p.m....................................Fiddle Jam Session 5-11 p.m..........................................Carinval open
Roswell Museum and Art Center receives beautification award JONATHAN ENTZMINGER RECORD STAFF WRITER
Yesterday after noon, Roswell Museum and Art Center, located at 100 W. 11th St., was awarded Keep Roswell Beautiful’s Business Beautification Award at 2:15 p.m. RMAC also received a sign from KRB to display in front of the museum. “We [are] elated,” Laurie Rufe, RMAC director, said. “We are so pleased that our grounds have taken an upward tur n … a lot of that has to do with our park project. The ‘park at the park’ and courtyard project have made a huge difference.” According to Rufe, RMAC’s outdoor beautification began with the museum’s 2009 courtyard project, which was funded by the RMAC Foundation. With the help of the RMAC foundation, the city Parks Department, who “has done a lot of [the] planting [in] the front of the building,” and Garden Crest Landscape Management, RMAC has become a leader
See GUN Page A8
same time — it is really a unique opportunity for our city. “ For more infor mation about Keep Roswell Beautiful, or to nominate a local business or resident for the
Beautification Award, contact the KRB office at (575) 624-6930, or by email at info@KeepRoswellBeautiful .com.
j.entzminger@roswell-record.com
Mark Wilson Photo
The Keep Roswell Beautiful Business Beautification Award was presented to the Roswell Museum and Art Center Thursday. On hand for the festivities were, from left to right: Laura Read, Caroline Brooks, Joann Blodgett, Lauri Rufe, Brinkman Randle, Cindy Torrez, Rita KaneDoerhoefer and John Merchant.