Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 124, No. 45 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
February 21, 2015
SATURDAY
www.rdrnews.com
NMMI ninja wanted on nationwide warrant By Jeff Tucker Record Staff Writer
An arrest warrant has been issued for the former New Mexico Military Institute cadet who assaulted another cadet in a ninja-style attack on the NMMI campus in November. Chance Butler, 16, of Pampa, Texas, on Feb. 2 pleaded no contest in 5th Judicial District Court in Roswell to a charge of aggravated assault (disguised). A second charge of battery was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Butler was placed on juvenile probation and allowed to serve his probation in Texas while in his
mother’s custody. However, at a court proceeding Monday, Butler’s mother, Julie Saiz of Pampa, telephoned 5th Judicial District Court and said her son had run away. Chaves County authorities filed a petition to revoke Butler’s probation and on Wednesday issued a nationwide arrest warrant to have Butler extradited back to New Mexico for the alleged probation violation and to be held with no bond. “On Feb. 14, 2015, Chance Butler left his home in Pampa, Texas, and failed to return,” states the affidavit for Butler’s arrest
signed by Juvenile Probation Officer Michael Stein. “A runaway report was filed with the Pampa Police Department on the same date. As of Feb. 18, 2015, probationer has failed to return home and his whereabouts are unknown to his parents and affiant. Affiant requests that a warrant be issued for his arrest.” Butler was scheduled to stand jury trial Tuesday in 5th Judicial District Court, Children’s Court Division, in Roswell, for allegedly donning a black ninja-style mask and dark sweatpants on Nov. 19 before ambushing the victim at the vic-
tim’s dorm room. The victim, a 16-yearold high school sophomore from Alabama, was treated for his injuries at the military school’s infirmary. After pleading guilty to the assault of another cadet, Butler, who was declared a delinquent child, was sentenced by Children’s Court Judge Freddie Romero to one year of supervised probation. Butler was also ordered to undergo psychiatric and substance abuse evaluations, to follow all recommendations for treatment, to enroll in a school or educational program, to perform 100 hours of com-
munity service, to pay restitution to the victim and to write a letter of apology to the victim within 15 days. In addition to the arrest warrant, authorities said Butler did not complete an eligibility determination for indigent defense application with the court. The Public Defender’s Office, which provided legal representation for Butler, has filed a motion for Butler to reimburse the office $1,000. According to court records, Butler, and NMMI cadet Ejiroghene Sipho Michael Adjekuko, con-
Butler
See BUTLER, Page A3
‘Coffee with a Cop’ to kick off Monday
Droning on
Submitted by RPD
Beginning this Monday, Feb. 23, Roswell citizens will have the opportunity each month to talk in person with members of the Roswell Police Department in a relaxed, informal setting. The “Coffee with a Cop” program offers the chance for positive ideas and information to be shared, and for citizens to ask questions and express concerns during conversations that will hopefully promote a cooperative effort among the public and police to reduce crime and make Roswell a safer city. “Coffee with a Cop” will take place at the Taqueria Jalisco restaurant at 1622 S. Main St. at 7 a.m. The
program will take place monthly, moving among various locations throughout town. The program is a good way for citizens to gain insights into how the RPD functions as its officers patrol and protect neighborhoods throughout the city. It also allows local residents to get to know a little about the police who serve them while RPD personnel likewise will become more familiar with those they serve. The relaxed interaction in a neutral setting aims to break down barriers and foster relationship building that is usually difficult to achieve during other police-public contacts, which often are
See COFFEE, Page A3
MVMS students’ art goes district-wide
By Jeff Jackson Record City Editor Bill Moffitt Photos
Above: Eastern New Mexico University – Roswell math instructor Coy Speer guides his homemade drone following a presentation to a group of University High School students Friday. Complete with a GoPro camera, Speer created his drone out of parts that he bought separately. His VTOL Aerial Vehicles (Vertical Takeoff & Landing) class is open to high school and ENMU-R students as a doorway
An ordinary email from a school administrator has developed into an extraordinary project that has an art teacher boasting. Students in Brenda Dillon’s five art composition classes at Mountain View Middle School this month have designed posters — in calligraphy no less — that now are on display at various schools in the Roswell district. “I’m proud, of course,” says Dillon, who has
to engineering. During the class students will build their own drone from a $175 kit which they also learn how to fly. Right: ENMU-R student Gilbert Sciarretta, 17, checks his drone after a demonstration for a group of University High School students at the college Friday. Through the dual enrollment program at Eastern New Mexico University – Roswell students can get college credits before graduating from high school.
Balderas, Duran form task force for campaign finance reporting Submitted Attorney General Hector Balderas and Secretary of State Dianna Duran announced Friday the formation of a joint task force to look at issues regarding New Mexico’s campaign finance reporting, enforcement, referral process and best practices. Shortly after being sworn into office for their current terms, Duran and Balderas met to discuss how both agencies can work together to best serve New Mexico taxpayers. Today’s announcement is part of the follow-up from that meeting. Duran said, “Since taking office in 2011, my staff and I have worked
diligently to address the numerous issues and problems related to the campaign reporting act. We have made many improvements in working towards voluntary compliance and education. I am excited to work with Attorney General Balderas in forming a task force that will look into the many areas within the Act, that need to be addressed, in order to assure transparency and accountably.” Balderas said, “I’m pleased to join Secretary of State Dianna Duran in forming a task force to determine potential problem areas involving campaign finance reporting, to improve and enhance the referral process, and to create reasonable remedies
for candidates who fail to report. I am focused on putting real teeth into the law and will present these legal solutions to the New Mexico Legislature. I believe that our joint effort will allow us to develop more transparent and effective safeguards for New Mexico voters and taxpayers.” The joint task force will include staff members from both the Attorney General’s Office and the Secretary of State’s Office. After reviewing its findings, the task force will make recommendations related to policy reforms and potential legislative remedies for an interim committee to consider.
taught in Roswell for 13 years and the last two at Mountain View. “They’ve worked really hard trying to make them look perfect. They chose where they wanted them to go. It makes me happy and makes me feel good, makes me feel like I’m reaching out to the teachers. I’m hoping it makes them hold their heads up a little bit. I hope they never take them down.” The idea for the projSee STUDENTS, Page A3
First year for RHS science fair
Bill Moffitt Photo
Roswell High School judges examine some of the exhibits at the first RHS Science Fair Expo in the RHS Little Theater Friday. This is the first year for the science fair, which recently became a requirement for all Freshman General Science students. Some 360 students created about 130 projects according to RHS Biology Instructor Mike McFerraz (not shown). McFerraz said that future science fairs will include more of the student body and will be held earlier in the year. The RHS judges shown here are (from left): Science Instructor Yvonne Graves, Chemistry Instructor Stacey Eberhart, and Math Instructor Casey O’Dwyer.
Today’s Forecast
Today’s Obituary Page A3
HIGH 66 LOW 41
• Marcia Diane Porter
Index Classifieds...........B6 Comics..................B5 Entertainment. ....A7 Financial..............B3
General...............A2
Opinion.................A4
Horoscopes.........B4
Sports. ................B1
Lotteries. ............A2
Weather...............A8