8-30-02 Headliners - Feds & State Police raid T or C meth lab

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Headline News From Aug. 30, 2002 Issue

Feds & State Police
raid T or C meth lab

Heavily-armed Drug Enforcement Administration agents stormed the Truth or Consequences home and suspected meth lab of Phillip Sanchez last Friday.

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

T or C mechanic allegedly rapes woman at auto shop

Local mechanic Willie Thomas, 57, was arrested Wednesday night on a charge of criminal sexual penetration, a third degree felony, after allegedly raping a 22-year-old Truth or Consequences woman.

Ranchers organizations oppose provision in amendment

The New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council have voiced concern and their opposition to a possible amendment to remove a vital section from a Senate bill, S. 2708, the Interior spending bill for fiscal year 2003.

Police powers erupt beyond limits

Until recently, I had thought I lived in America, Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.

DJ ignoring dog-killing algae at lake?

One might think that the Desert Journal was ignoring the hype about the dog-killing algae at Elephant Butte Lake this summer in an attempt to cover up the story.

Draft plan for El Camino Real Historic Trail to be released soon

The Bureau of Land Management's State Offices in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma and the National Park Service's Long Distance Trails Group Office in Santa Fe are sending El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail Draft Comprehensive Management Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Statement to the printer.

Gila National Forest seeks comments
on forest plan that protects scenic rivers

The Gila National Forest is seeking public comment on a proposal to amend the Gila National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Gila Forest Plan).

Lightning from a thunderstorm in the Truth or Consequences area Wednesday night bends the night sky. Click on photo to see the lightning bolts closer up.
DJ Photo by Bill Johnson

…Don’t shoot the agents!

Sierra County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Coulter (above) blocks this photographer’s view of police activity surrounding last Friday’s raid of an alleged meth lab at the home of Phillip Sanchez (the two-story house in background) on Elm Street in Truth or Consequences. An agent of the Drug Enforcement Agency later explained that agents’ identities would be compromised if their faces were to be photographed and published.

Meanwhile, Phillip Sanchez spent hours in this sheriff’s department vehicle with his hands handcuffed behind him while DEA agents and state police processed evidence at the scene.

DJ photos by Bill Johnson

Feds & State Police raid T or C meth lab

Second meth bust for Phillip Sanchez in less than a year

By Fred Mramor of the Desert Journal

Heavily-armed Drug Enforcement Administration agents stormed the Truth or Consequences home and suspected meth lab of Phillip Sanchez last Friday.

The federal agents were executing a search warrant based on information originating with T or C Police that Sanchez, 42, was operating a clandestine drug lab.

Sanchez’s Elm Street neighbor reported a chemical odor to T or C Police last Friday morning, according to TCPD Detective Ron Huff.

Huff said he smelled iodine and hydrochloric acid - precursors to the manufacture of methamphetine - coming from Sanchez’s house when he responded to the neighbor’s call. Huff reported his findings to New Mexico State Police who in turn contacted the DEA.

Four federal agents and five or six NMSP officers executed the Friday evening raid and Sierra County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted by establishing and maintaining a perimeter during the SWAT-like operation, according to DEA Group Supervisor Mark Payne.

T or C Police made an appearance but left the scene given their limited manpower and seeing that the DEA, State Police and Sheriff’s Department had the situation well in hand, according to Det. Huff.

Witnesses to the raid said the agents and officers wore body armor, that some were hooded and were climbing all over the suspected drug house on ladders in the massive assault.

“It looked like it was right out of a movie,” a neighbor witnessing the raid said.

Witnesses to the raid said the agents wore black uniforms and gas masks and were armed with automatic weapons and shotguns while carrying out their assault on the suspected drug house.

The DEA agents put on haz-mat suits after securing the scene in accordance with standard procedure when dealing with a suspected meth lab, Mark Payne said.

The agents climbed on ladders to reach the second floor of the house that had no stairs to the outside door on the second story, according to witnesses.

Onlookers, reporters and photographers were kept at bay by a 300-foot perimeter, witnesses said. Desert Journal publisher and photographer Bill Johnson said he was told not to take pictures of agents’ faces for fear that their identities would be compromised.

Finding chemical precursors, glassware and tubing, the federal agents arrested Sanchez for attempted manufacture of methamphetamine.

Sanchez is in custody at the Dona Ana County Jail and faces trial in the U.S. District Court.

DEA agents and state police officers commenced their raid at about 5:30 p.m. and remained at the scene until at least 11 that night.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office could bring additional charges against Sanchez during their investigation of the case, Payne said.

Payne said DEA agents seized only Sanchez’s meth lab but he doesn’t know if any of his assets will later be seized and forfeited.

Sanchez was out on bond when his home was raided last Friday awaiting his trial in New Mexico’s Seventh Judicial District Court on charges of manufacturing and distributing a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia and receiving stolen property after his arrest last November by Sierra County Sheriff’s deputies.

Sheriff’s deputies discovered what appeared to be a meth lab at Sanchez’s Elm Street home while investigating a burglary.

Informed sources said the lab was sophisticated then and that its ventilation system had been connected with the city’s sewer system to prevent chemical odors from leaking out of the house.

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…Like a sittin’ duck

After the first shot (see above like photo), alleged methamphetamine manufacturer Phillip Sanchez ducks his head to avoid further photographing of his face. As can be seen in background of photo, police activity is evident in the raid of Sanchez’s house last Friday night.
DJ photo by Bill Johnson

T or C mechanic allegedly

rapes woman at auto shop

By Fred Mramor of the Desert Journal

Local mechanic Willie Thomas, 57, was arrested Wednesday night on a charge of criminal sexual penetration, a third degree felony, after allegedly raping a 22-year-old Truth or Consequences woman.

The woman and her friend met Thomas at a local bar Tuesday night and later went with Thomas to his home, a room behind an auto garage on North Date Street, according to the woman’s statement to police.

The victim in her statement to police said her friend, another young woman, left to go home and check on their sons. The woman said she was sitting with Thomas on his bed and that although she resisted him, Thomas forcibly removed her clothes and penetrated her.

The attack occurred at about 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to the woman’s statement made to a New Mexico State Police officer when she was being examined for sexual assault at Sierra Vista Hospital’s emergency room at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The rape charge was filed Wednesday in the Sierra County Magistrate Court in T or C.

Bond for Thomas was set at $25,000 cash. First appearance for him on the felony rape charge is expected to be held today (Friday, Aug. 30) in the magistrate court, a court clerk said Thursday.

Thomas has been the defendant in several criminal and civil cases in Hobbs, Roswell and Truth or Consequences since 1999, according to a New Mexico courts web page. Details of those cases were unavailable up to press time Thursday.

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A closer view of the lightning bolts.
DJ photo by Bill Johnson

Ranchers organizations oppose

provision in amendment to bill

The Senate plans to vote on S. 2708 this Wednesday, Sept. 4, according to a release from the NCBA.

The council and cattle associations said their concern is with the possible removal of Section 326, a provision that would allow the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service to renew a grazing permit if the agency has not completed an environmental analysis before the permit expires.

The three organizations are asking ranchers and everyone affected by the legislation to call their senators to oppose any amendment to remove the Section 326 provision from the Interior spending bill.

Ranchers and farmers face the possibility of removing livestock through no fault of their own. The provision does not eliminate or exempt the rancher from the environmental review process, contrary to what opponents of the language are saying, according to the NCBA release.

“There is some extremely important language in the bill pertaining to the renewal of grazing permits on USFS and BLM lands in the event that the federal agencies are unable to complete analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA),” said Caren Cowan of the NMCGA.

“Courtesy of Senator Pete Domenici, this language has been in the bill for the past few years and it has been the only thing that has kept hundreds, if not thousands, of rural ranch families on the land here in New Mexico and across the West,” Cowan said.

Due to recent court decisions USFS users are now in jeopardy as well, she said.

“This year's fire season has well documented how the NEPA process is being misused by so-called environmental groups to halt prudent management of our federal lands - millions of acres of which are now useless to anyone because of the fires,” Cowan said.

“On behalf of the livestock producers in New Mexico and across the West and the American public who deserve prudent management of federal lands, the NMCGA urges you to oppose any amendment to strike provisions that allow for permit renewal on BLM and USFS grazing allotments as NEPA is being completed,” Cowan said.

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…New video store coming to T or C

Construction is well underway on this Movie Gallery – a chain video store based in Mississippi – on North Date Street across from the IGA Food Basket. T or C city building inspector Chris Nobes said the 3,400-square-foot building is expected to be completed within 60 days. Another is being built in Grants.
DJ Photo by Bill Johnson

Police powers erupt beyond limits

Editorial by Bill Johnson of the Desert Journal

Until recently, I had thought I lived in America, Land of the Free, Home of the Brave. I still do think this but with some reservations, despite the stark realization that officials in positions of authority have seized more than their fair share of unlimited powers to do whatever they please, whenever they please.

It is like as though they have suspended our Constitution and downplayed our Bill of Rights and everything that is decent and righteous about America.

The pundits want us to substitute acts of bravery – let them do it, they got the guns - with the display of Old Glory as a show of our patriotism (or should I say, our blind support) - while they strip, or try to strip, the rest of Americans of their God-given liberties.

They use every plausible excuse to pump up their numbers and budgets in the name of protecting and saving us from some lurking danger, usually ourselves, while convincing us that it is in our best interest to give up our guns and let Big Brother hold our hand. Sure they’ll protect us; they can’t even safeguard or shield our children from predators.

Homeland Security, arising out of the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on America, is just one example, but a significant one, of an avalanche of hysterical responses to a tiny threat.

Homeland Security is just a means of expanding police powers within all levels of government – local, state and federal - when in actuality there is no authority for it. The government is forbidden from waging war against its own people, unless of course the people are deemed enemies in light of their wartime actions against the government.

In fact, those unlimited police powers do not exist in the Constitution; in fact, the Constitution limits police and military powers so that the individual always remains on top of, or superior to, the government.

The problem is that the individual doesn’t seem to have the same arsenal as does the government to protect himself from tyrants. This is exactly why government powers should always be kept in check; We the People are the balancing act here.

The real threat lies in the fact that most Americans have forgotten their rights, have turned them into privileges and attached fees and other limitations to them and are down outright complacent about maintaining the status quo, no matter how wrong it is to do so, no matter how severely it violates our constitutional protections from an unsavory, unlimited government with every power at its disposal to destroy the last remnants of our dignity and decency.

I realize some people in positions of power want us to believe that those things that made our country great are disappearing or leaking through the cracks and that, as a result of 9/11, we now must rely upon them to transform us into some New World Order that they have concocted. And we must depend upon them for our sustenance to ensure that they will have a job always and become our rightful masters.

Hog wash! We must depend upon ourselves to keep ourselves free. How can we depend on the military to protect our borders when they’re overseas fighting in some police action?

We must depend upon our own guns to ward off criminals, to kill our foes if necessary. We must depend on our own watchful eyes to expose our enemies – both foreign and domestic – at work in our own backyards.

Why not let commercial airline pilots carry guns to defend their cockpits? Maybe 9/11 never would have happened had the pilots carried their own protection and not left their safety up to a bunch of clowns.

The more money we pump into police departments, the more crime we seemingly get in return and therefore we must pump more money to get what? More crime. Who are the criminals, anyway?

Our tax money would be better spent if we invested in our own guns and home security systems or whatever it takes to make us safer. But are we at any time 100 percent safe? Never! So why buy into their plan?

It is time to take matters into our own hands. I’m not saying subvert the Constitution. I am not saying get rid of police or the military.

I am saying we should live the Constitution as Americans and quit shirking our responsibilities by handing them over to a bunch of Bozos to figure it out.

On the other hand, it would be preferable if police and people could work hand in hand to enhance America’s freedom, as well as ensure its security. Trust would be a good place to begin; that is, police and authorities trusting the public to do what is right and proper and therefore establishing meaningful and workable relationships.

As one of our founding fathers, Ben Franklin, said (paraphrased), “Those who would sacrifice freedom for security’s sake deserve neither.” May as well throw away the key and realize the enemy already won the war against America’s liberties.

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DJ ignoring dog-killing algae at lake?

By Bill Johnson of the Desert Journal

One might think that the Desert Journal was ignoring the hype about the dog-killing algae at Elephant Butte Lake this summer in an attempt to cover up the story.

But the fact is, the story was aired on TV news and hit the front pages of the state’s dailies, and now Elephant Butte businessmen are complaining of a drop in tourism and sales because the story is scaring away (needlessly) the area’s visitors.

The environment department issued an alert or advisory to visitors to keep their dogs at home because of reports of the algae bloom killing several dogs at the lake.

According to sources, angel-hair algae are responsible for most of the canine deaths at the lake. The fact that the lake is shallower with lesser amounts of water this year, plus the fact that the marinas must shift around to get to deeper water, therefore disturbing the algae and breaking it loose, are contributing factors, along with regular lake traffic – boats, pontoons, jet skis, etc., that stir the pot so to speak.

But other facts also remain that many dogs have not died and I have heard no reports of any human swimmers getting sick out there, I and my family being among them. And we usually swim near the Marina del Sur at the Dirt Dam Day Use Area where conditions for algae bloom could be ripe, but apparently pose no problem.

Anyway, to be prudent and in case visitors do bring their dogs, avoid those areas where water looks like its full of yellowish or greenish slime balls or any solids for that matter.

And it always would be prudent to wash off the dogs, kids and yourself after a swim in the lake because, after all, lake water isn’t the cleanest or safest to swim in. It is full of all kinds of nutrients, bacteria and other living organisms that would freak you out if you saw them under a microscope.

Certainly parents should discourage their kids from drinking any lake water too although I’ve swallowed quite a few mouthfuls (accidentally, of course) but never died or got so sick I couldn’t count to 10.

So, there it is in a nutshell. Don’t be afraid to visit Elephant Butte Lake; just be prudent and don’t take the dog where lake circulation is poor or where water content is full of foreign matter or clumps of solids floating on the surface. The lake is big enough to find plenty of cleaner, clearer water to enjoy a safe and pleasurable visit.

I personally wouldn’t dive into water where there is virtually no visibility beyond three feet. If you’re hip deep in the water and can’t see your feet, avoid that area and find one that is healthier and more conducive to swimming. Same for the animals, keep them out of the swampy looking water.

Warning: I’m not a surgeon general and therefore disclaim responsibility for any omission of facts. But I do have common sense and think that if everyone exercised a little common sense they wouldn’t get into so much trouble, including losing a dog to the algae monster. Dogs that run at large on the other hand will (and probably should) suffer some uncertain fate.

PLEASE SEE FOLLOWING LETTER!

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The following letter, which was received Sept. 17, 2007, is a response to the above article - DJ ignores dog-killing algae at lake - written more than five years ago. The letter's author, Brandon Maxwell, says in another letter today (Sept. 18, 2007), "Yes, there was another problem at the lake this year. Over Labor Day weekend. I am trying to get the park to post signs, but they are afraid of the revenue loss that could occur as a result. In my opinion, it is just both irresponsible, and un-ethical to know that such dangers exist and not warn patrons."

Dear editor:

As the former best friend of the Jack Russell Terrier in question, my first reaction to your article was to attack you personally for the irresponsible "reporting" in this article. I personally took exception to the "common sense," and implication that dogs that "run at large" should "suffer some uncertain fate" references. I am sure animal rights groups would take exception to that as well.

However, I realized that you sir, like many of the parks patrons who are also not a surgeon general, are simply ignorant to the actual problem at hand and that
you are not reporting the facts, rather you are stating you opinion. Common sense only applies to that in which an individual knows or is educated to, so
please do not take my use of the term ignorance as derogatory in nature. I too was ignorant, but that was three weeks ago.

Taking an hour out of your day and doing a some research on blue-green algae (BGA) blooms and cyanobacteria could in fact help to alleviate this ignorance. I do not think you understand the level of toxicity that can be produced (a strain in Australia was found to be 200 times more toxic than cyanide). You do not know that the toxic bacteria can not always be seen in the water. You are obviously not aware that blooms can occur overnight or in a matter of only a few hours, making a particular area that was acceptable, unsafe in short order.

Finally, you are ignorant to the fact that this could be toxic to humans and especially, due to body weight, smaller children. In fact in some cases, I have been told by the Surface Water Quality Bureau, a tenth of a milligram can cause serious illness if ingested.

You certainly insinuated people are swimming in, and allowing pets to swim in what can only be described as green mud. That is not the case, to say nothing of the fact that it does not even have to be ingested to cause problems. Yes, simple skin contact with toxic BGA can cause problems as well.

My dog was exceptionally well trained and probably more intelligent than some people. To assume that "running at large" was a contributing factor to her
passing is both unfounded and inflammatory. The bottom line sir, is that you were not there. Making such assumptions then publishing them in your "reporting" is grossly irresponsible.

Being at the lake every weekend from July to Labor Day, we never had a problem until this particular weekend (blooms usually only occur in late summer).
Four adult individuals we were with departed the area with food poisoning-like symptoms (so now you have been advised about people getting sick).

The news was not given by me (though I appreciate it as a vehicle for public education), if it had it would have been factually correct. What was in error in the report I have seen is the statement that my dog had been swimming for hours. The truth of the matter is that SHE had only been in the water for less than half an hour and fifteen minutes later, she began to have seizures (indicative of a nuerotoxin) and eventually stopped breathing.

After contact with the State Park I found that they did not want to post signs to educate patrons, they only wanted to educate staff so warnings could be made
verbally. Considering the speed at which this can happen, it is unacceptable to not educate patrons themselves. By the time the park staff identifies a problem area, it may be too late.

It is only after phone calls were not returned from the park superintendent, I contacted the regional manger. It is only after the regional managers was
insufficient in that it was made clear that there were no intentions to educate the consumer, that other agencies and forums were contacted. The surgeon general posts a warning on cigarettes and alcohol, why? Because while most consumers know of the dangers associated with use, some may not.

My intention/goal is to educate the public, because the park refused to do so, not to "scare away" business. To be frank, I don't care about the parks or local business revenue. Putting revenue as a priority over the safety of people and animals is an un-ethical business practice. They can complain all they want. I for one, will not be losing any sleep over it.

So while your story is well written (though I thought heartless in stating that dogs "Should suffer some uncertain fate"), I hope that your readers do not make
the mistake of taking it as factual information and take the time to research and educate themselves on the dangers. The content of your writing is more along lines of opinion, which you are fully entitled to.

s/Brandon Maxwell

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(posted 9-18-07)

Draft plan for El Camino Real

Historic Trail to be released soon

Printed copies or compact disks of the document will be available in early October from the NPS Long Distance Trails Group Office, 2968 Rodeo Park Drive West, Santa Fe, NM, or the following BLM offices:

Taos Field Office, 226 Cruz Alta Road, Taos, NM 87571-5983;

Albuquerque Field Office, 435 Montano Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107-4935;

Socorro Field Office, 198 Neel Ave. NW, Socorro, NM 87801-4648;

Las Cruces Field Office, 1800 Marquess St., Las Cruces, NM 88005-3371.

For a copy of the document, send a written request to the NPS Long Distance Trails Group Office in Santa Fe before Sept. 6, or if possible via e-mail at Terry-Humphrey@blm.gov.

The document will be provided on compact disc, unless a printed copy is requested.

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Gila National Forest seeks comments

on forest plan that protects scenic rivers

SILVER CITY - The Gila National Forest is seeking public comment on a proposal to amend the Gila National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Gila Forest Plan).

The objective of the amendment is to include direction in the forest plan for protecting rivers for their outstandingly remarkable values eligible for further study under the Wild and Scenic River Act.

When the Gila Forest Plan was approved in 1986, direction on how to protect these rivers was not included.

The proposed amendment to the Gila Forest Plan is to comply with Forest Service policy regarding rivers and with Forest Service Handbook direction which states protection requirements must be documented in the forest plan and continued until a decision is made as to the future use of rivers and adjacent lands.

The proposed amendment also meets one of the terms of a 1999 lawsuit stipulation and settlement agreement pertaining to the protection of rivers.

During last February, public comments were also sought on determining what rivers or river segments were eligible for designation as a Wild and Scenic River.

The rivers or segments of rivers identified earlier this year are the same ones covered in this forest plan amendment proposal and include the West Fork of the Gila River, Middle Fork of the Gila River, Diamond Creek, South Diamond Creek, Mimbres River, Las Animas Creek, Holden Prong, Spruce Creek and Whitewater Creek.

Comments in writing as to whether or not to amend the Gila Forest Plan to include direction for protecting rivers should be submitted by the close of business on Sept. 27 to: Gila National Forest, Attn: Land Management Planning/Wild and Scenic Rivers (LMP/WSR), 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City, NM, 88061.

For more information, call Steve Libby, Gila National Forest Planning Staff Officer, or Delbert Griego, Gila National Forest Wild and Scenic River Coordinator, at 505-388-8201.

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