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Lea County Sheriff's Department
2013 Press Releases
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July 31, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lovington, New Mexico (July 31, 2013) – The Lea County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting
which occurred in the 2000 block of N. Bensing Road near Hobbs which left multiple Lea County residents injured. Approximately
1022 PM, July 30th, the Lea County Communications Authority (LCCA) received a report of an individual who had been
shot in the mouth. A second call received from another address in the same block reported the sounds of multiple gunshots
and a white colored SUV was seen leaving the area. Sheriff’s deputies and Hobbs EMS subsequently responded to 2030 N.
Bensing Road, where they found Karen Teel (49), Jerry Teel (24), Omar Gutierrez (23) and Joe David Delao (18) suffering various
gunshot injuries. The injured were transported to Lea Regional Medical Center for emergency care. Karen Teel, Omar Gutierrez
and Joe David Delao were subsequently transferred to University Medical Center – Lubbock where Teel is being treated
for gunshot wounds to the cheek, neck and arm. Gutierrez is being treated for a gunshot injury to his right hand. Delao is
being treated for a gunshot injury to his lower back. All three are in stable condition as of this press release. Jerry Teel
was treated for a gunshot graze to the right side of his head at Lea Regional Hospital and released.In the early morning hours of July 31, 2013, Sheriff’s investigators and deputies
served a search warrant at a residence in the 6900 block of N. Country Road in relation to this shooting. Four individuals
were located who are believed to have knowledge or some connection to the shooting. Investigation into this matter is continuing and no other information can be released
at this time.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lovington, New Mexico (July 2, 2013)
– The Lea County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico Sheriff’s Association awarded two $700.00 scholarships
to Lea County high school graduates this year. Justin T. Dunford, a 2013 Hobbs High Graduate, is a member of the National
Honor Society and will be pursuing a law degree. Justin is the son of Tom and Jennifer Dunford of Hobbs. Joshua N. Clayton,
a 2013 Lovington High School Graduate and active member in New Beginnings Youth Group, will pursue a degree in biology. Josh
is the son of Keith and Yoly Clayton, of Lovington. Custom Welding of Hobbs was this year’s Platinum Sponsor.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For Immediate Release
LOVINGTON, NM (April 2, 2013) The Lea County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the unattended death of an individual tentatively identified as Troy Lee Allen, 10/28/75, who was reported missing from Andrews County, Texas. Lea County Sheriff’s Office deputies were looking for Mr Allen’s vehicle after he was reported missing and located it approximately 8 miles north of US Highway 380 on Nine Ranch Road, Lea County, NM. Mr Allen was found in a pasture approximately 2 miles east of his vehicle. No cause or manner of death has been determined as of this release. Mr Allen’s body will be sent to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator for an autopsy. No other details are available as of this release. PRESS RELEASE: March 29, 2013 On March 28, 2013, the Lea County Drug Task Force received information indicating that an individual identified as Johnny Garrett would be operating a blue in color Chevy pickup truck pulling a black in color vehicle trailer with a black in color passenger car loaded onto the trailer. The information indicated that the trailer also contained a stolen four wheeler and an additional stolen four wheeler in the bed of the pickup. Additional information indicated that another white pickup would be traveling with the suspect and would contain a stolen go kart/dune buggy. Lea County Drug Task Force Agents located the vehicles traveling westbound on US 62-180 and followed them as they turned onto State Road 529. At approximately mile marker 18 the white pickup pulled to the side of the road apparently to secure a tarp that had been covering the stolen go kart/dune buggy. Lea County Drug Task Force Agents approached the vehicle at this point and the driver fled the scene. At approximately mile marker 17 the blue pickup towing the trailer pulled over and stopped for an unknown reason. At this time Lea County Drug Task Force Agents approached the vehicle and detained the occupants. The driver was identified as Johnny Garrett and the passenger was identified as Delores Lomeli. A Lea County Drug Task Force Agent followed the white pickup until a marked unit from the Lea County Sheriff’s Department arrived on scene. At this time the white pickup pulled to the side of the road and the driver was detained. The driver of the white pickup was identified as John Duran. The suspects and vehicles were transported back to the Lea County Sheriff’s Department for further investigation. The Lea County Drug Task Force with the assistance of the Lea County Sheriff’s Department then conducted search warrants on both pickups. As a result of the search warrant the following stolen items were recovered: RJ Flat Bed Trailer valued at $3000.00 stolen out of Hobbs PD on March 24, 2013 White Chevy Pickup valued at $2500.00 reported to the Lea County DTF on March 28, 2013 Yamaha 450 ATV valued at $6000.00 stolen out of Hobbs PD on March 24, 2013 Yamaha ATV valued at $1400.00 stolen out of Hobbs PD on March 26, 2013 Go Kart/Dune Buggy valued at $1400.00 stolen out of Hobbs PD on March 28, 2013 In addition a Methamphetamine pipe was seized as evidence. On March 28, 2013, Johnny Garrett (27 yoa) of Hobbs, NM was arrested on four counts of Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle (Fourth Degree Felony – punishable by 18 months in prison on each count) and one count of Larceny of $2500.00 (Third Degree Felony – punishable by 3 years in prison). He was booked into the Lea County Detention Facility on a $30,000 bond. On March 28, 2013, John Duran (33 yoa) of Artesia, NM was arrested on two counts of Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle (Fourth Degree Felony – punishable by 18 months in prison). He was booked into the Lea County Detention Facility on a $10,000 bond. On March 28, 2013, Delores Lomeli (29 yoa) of Seminole, TX was arrested on one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was issued a Non-Traffic Citation and released. Further investigation revealed that at the time of the theft the RJ Flatbed Trailer contained a 10,000 Lb. winch that was missing when the trailer was seized by law enforcement. The Lea County Drug Task Force with the assistance of the Lea County Sheriff’s Department conducted a search warrant at 14316 Canterbury, Hobbs, New Mexico and recovered the winch that was valued at $500.00. For additional information, contact Lea County Drug Task Force Commander Michael Wilson at 575 631-7013. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lovington, New Mexico (March 12, 2013)
– On
March 10th, at approximately 1342 hours, Deputies from the Lea County Sheriff’s Department responded to 708 W. Martin,
Lea County, in reference to a male subject being shot in the head. Upon arrival, Deputies discovered 19 year old Michael Burns
of Hobbs deceased inside the residence. Investigators interviewed several individuals that were inside the residence at the
time of the shooting. No further details are available at this time. The investigation into the shooting continues.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lovington, New Mexico (March 6, 2013) – Timmithy E. Stover (27) of Hobbs has been arrested on charges of Murder, Battery On a Household
Member, False Imprisonment, Trafficking a Controlled Substance, Intimidation of a Witness and Child Abuse. He is presently
being held at the Lea County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond in connection with the death of his domestic partner Candiace
Boone (28) of Hobbs. Approximately 0215, March 5, 2013, Lea County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call regarding
an unresponsive female. The female appeared to have been secured at the wrists and ankles with duct tape prior to her death.
Subsequent investigation by the Sheriff’s Office led
investigators to believe Stover and Boone were involved in a domestic violence event the prior evening at 1210 W. Scharbauer,
Hobbs, NM. During this event, Stover allegedly forced Boone out of her vehicle and into his before leaving the area. Stover
then drove the couple to an acquaintance’s home at 401 W. Kansas, Lea County, where he displayed a small black pistol
and forced the two residents of the home to assist him in restraining Boone using duct tape on her wrists and ankles. Stover
also allegedly forced one of the two to record what he was doing using a cellular phone. Stover allegedly stuck a sock in
Boone’s mouth, securing it with a bandana which he tied around her head. Throughout this period of time, Stover continued
to beat Boone. He then dragged her to a rear bedroom of the house where he resumed striking her before leaving her unattended
in the room. An undetermined period of time transpired after which one of the occupants in the house checked on Boone and
determined she was unresponsive. During the course
of subsequent interviews Stover admitted injecting Boone with methamphetamine prior to their argument. It was also determined
a minor child was present at the residence on Kansas during the events there. Statements made by the child during their interview
lead investigators to believe the child observed much of what occurred. Boone was transported to the Office of the Medical
Investigator in Albuquerque for an autopsy. The cause of death has not been determined and the investigation is continuing.
No other information is being released at this time as the investigation remains active. Contact NumbersMain Office Line: (575) 396-8200 Direct Office Line: (575) 396-8202
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lovington, New Mexico (February 24, 2013) – Approximately 4:10 PM, February 24,
2013, Lea County Sheriff’s deputies and officers from the Lovington Police Department responded to 3615 Tatum Highway
regarding an individual having been shot. Upon their arrival, they discovered a number of persons present and one individual
who had been shot. The victim, identified as David Rogers (52) of Hobbs, had suffered a single gunshot wound to the head and
was transported to Nor-Lea Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Mr Woodrow Dunn, Sr (59) of Tatum reported
to Sheriff’s Investigators that he had made arrangements with Rogers to pick up Woodrow K. Dunn, Jr (32) of Tatum, who
Rogers was bringing back in to town from a job site in the oilfield. The two had agreed to meet along the roadside on the
Tatum Highway. According to Dunn Sr, Rogers had told him Woodrow Dunn, Jr was acting odd. Dunn Sr told investigators he walked
Woodrow Dunn, Jr to his pickup and then returned to Rogers’ vehicle to collect some work clothes. As Rogers and
Dunn Sr were talking, Dunn heard a loud bang and realized Rogers had been shot. He turned back to his own vehicle and saw
Woodrow K. Dunn Jr holding a weapon that was kept in Dunn Sr’s pickup. Mr Dunn Sr ran to the pickup and took the gun
away and called law enforcement. Another witness at the scene identified as Jeremy Stane (34) of Hobbs, provided similar information
as to Dunn Sr, adding he had been seated in the rear passenger seat of Roger’s truck when he was shot.
Woodrow K. Dunn Jr, has been arrested on one (1) count of First
Degree Murder and was booked into the Lea County Detention Center where he remains a $1,000,000 cash bond. The investigation
is continuing. No other information is being released at this time as the investigation remains active. Contact Numbers Main Office Line:
(575) 396-8200 Direct Office Line: (575) 396-8202
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