21 minute read
FEDERAL AGENTS
Trump to send federal agents to ABQ, as local leaders object
By Matthew Reichbach
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New Mexico Political Report
Pr e s id e nt D o n a ld Trump announced that the White House will send more federal
Gallup Sun Publishing, LLC Publisher/Editor Babette Herrmann Offi ce Manager Raenona Harvey Accounts Representative Sherry Kauzlarich Associate Editor Beth Blakeman Photography Knifewing Segura Ana Hudgeons Ryan Hudgeons Cable Hoover Correspondent/Editorial Asst. Cody Begaye Dominic Aragon On the Cover The Velasco family. TOP left: Robert, Ryan, and Trina; right: Robert, Daniel and Trina. BOTTOM left: Trina, Robert, Gina, and Daniel; right: Gina, Arthur, Leander, Dee, and Sparky. Photos courtesy D. Velasco
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Letter to the editor/guest column ACCEPTED BY EMAIL ONLY. State full name and city/town. No pen names. ID required. All submissions subjected to editor’s approval. Guest columnists, email Sun for submission requirements. agents into Albuquerque, citing the city’s high violent crime rate.
Trump said the deployment of agents to cities “plagued by violent crime” is part of what he called Operation Legend.The federal government had already sent agents to Kansas City as part of the program.
He said state and local offi - cials should accept the federal law enforcement offi cers.
“They should call, they should want it,” Trump said. “They’re too proud or they’re too political to want it.”
U.S. Attorney General William Barr said that they would send 35 agents to Albuquerque, with more going to Chicago and 200 already in Kansas City as part of the operation. The agents would
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come from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, F i rea r m s a nd Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations team.
B e r n a l i l l o C o u n t y Sheriff Manny Gonzales III attended the White House announcement.
“We will never defund the police. We will hire more great police,” Trump said. “We want to make law enforcement stronger, not weaker. What cities are doing is absolute insanity.”
Much of Trump’s announcement focused on Chicago, another city which will see an infl ux of federal law enforcement through the federal government’s operation.
Trump also announced that the federal government would provide $61 million in grants to cities as part of the program to hire more police offi cers.
Operation Legend is named after LeGend Taliferro, a fouryear-old who was shot and killed while sleeping in Kansas City, Missouri in late June.
Trump cited the 2019 killing of Jacque Vigil as a reason why the White House directed federal law enforcement to Albuquerque. Vigil was shot and killed in her driveway, and the case remains unsolved.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller criticized the move.
“We always welcome partnerships in constitutional crime fi ghting that are in step with our community, but we won’t sell out our city for a bait and switch excuse to send secret police to Albuquerque,” Keller said in a statement Wednesday evening. “Operation Legend is not real crime fi ghting; it’s politics standing in the way of police work and makes us less safe.”
Vigil’s widower, Sam Vigil, spoke and thanked Trump for his actions.
Keller said his heart went out to Vigil and everyone else who has been a victim of violence in the city.
A l b u q u e r q u e P o l i c e Department chief Michael Geier wasn’t confi dent the state would see any of the promised grant money in a timely fashion.
“We are still waiting on the $10 million Operation Relentless Pursuit funding that was promised last year to help us with our goal to hire more offi cers and to bring in additional federal law enforcement agents to assist us in our crime fi ghting efforts,” Geier said. “While I will try to remain optimistic, I won’t hold my breath until we see all this actually come to fruition.”
Operation Legend is separate from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security program
TRUMP | SEE PAGE 27
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-PDBUFEBU%FCSB%SJWFJO(BMMVQ /. )PVTJOH"QQMJDBUJPOTNBZCFSFRVFTUCZFNBJM ()".BJO!HBMMVQIPVTJOHDPN Gallup Sun • Friday July 24, 2020
T h e a d m i n i s t r a t o r , Miller claimed that William Camorata, who also worked at RMCHCS, was diagnosed with COVID-19 in a cell phone conversation which her husband overheard.
By not using a secure line, Miller said, the administrator violated Camorata’s HIPAA privacy rights. The physician husband was reportedly fi red.
Miller said she presented her HIPAA violation fi ndings to the hospital board. Their discussion continued during a special Saturday meeting on May 23, when the six-member HIPAA Privacy Panel’s fi ndings were rejected by the board.
Miller explained that she was asked by a board member, if she could forget about what happened, and start all over (sweep what happened under the rug and start all over again).
“They spoke about the com mu n it y bei n g sm a l l and tight knit and that the board was used to sharing patient health information despite the HIPA A Law,” Miller said. “I was accused of not being truthful in my investigation and outcomes r e p or t i n g, a nd t h a t my investigative findings were being rejected.”
Miller abruptly resigned her HIPAA Privacy Officer position at the meeting.
She also reported the violation to the New Mexico Nursing Board on May 29, and the New Mexico Medical Board on June 1.
CAMORATA LEAVES
William Camorata was the RMCHCS Director of Behavioral Health Special Projects. After he contracted COVID-19 and his status was revealed, he took his HIPAA violation complaint to human resources. He said that he was suspended and later terminated for it.
He told the Sun that the termination happened in a meeting July 8 with interim CE O M a r y B e v ier, t he human resources director and the executive director of Wellspring Rehabilitation Center and the College and Red Rock clinics.
“Their reason,” Camorata said, “was that I spoke with innuendos.”
The hospital, he said, did not give him a letter of explanation and the reason for his Gallup, NM 87301 (505) 863-4452 termination was not explained further.
“I really do feel that my termination was a retaliation for supporting Dave Conejo during those times,” Camorata said.
He believes that the administrator who revealed his coronavirus diagnosis should have been fi red.
“She did this as retaliation against me because I supported Conejo during the nurses’ protests,” he said. “She was one of the employees who helped damage the hospital’s reputation when she led a strike and media campaign against Conejo.”
He said that he’s considering taking legal action against RMCHCS for wrongful termination, among other complaints.
Camorata is president of the Immediate Action Group that serves the homeless of Gallup and McKinley County. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Gallup’s Community Pantry, and is a core leader in pastoral mentoring at the Lighthouse Inter nationa l Min istr ies Church in Gallup, and the DUI Planning Council for McKinley County.
• A Gallup tradition with over 100 years of dedicated service. Now under new ownership, the Rollie legacy continues; providing the facilities and conveniences that serve families best with dignity, integrity and understanding. • Rollie Mortuary offers package pricing, accepts Navajo Nation Social Service packages and can assist families with pre-need planning and set up. • Rollie Mortuary offers a genuine desire to be of assistance to you and your family in this time of need.
401 E. Nizhoni Blvd. Camorata was honored
with the “Housing For All” awa rd bestowed by the Coalition to End Homelessness last year.
ANOTHER GOODBYE AT RMCHCS
During the Sun’s interview with Miller, she took a call from a member of the RMCHCS staff (who will not be named here) and was informed that a nurse resigned on July 21 after the administrator that outed Camorata was promoted to take over her department.
HELEN A. BAGH
OCTOBER 1, 1942 – JULY 14, 2020
Helen A. Bagh, age 77, passed away at her home in New Mexico on July 14, 2020 but her heart was always in Pahrump, Nevada where she lived for many years. She loved to make people laugh; she loved to dance and always fi lled the room with her smile. She was feisty, quick witted, and loved to share her adventurous life stories, which were sure to bring a smile and a laugh. Although her income was modest, her generosity and sincere concern for others was without limit.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Anwar (Andy) Bagh. She is survived by her children, Gloria Angelo and Jeffery Fuller; her grandchildren, Christina, Angel and Tawni; 6 great grandchildren, and her nieces and nephews, Helene, Noah and Adam. She crocheted all her life and blessed many people with a
Miller said she’s planning to seek legal action in her own case, but at the same time she’s concerned about the future of the hospital.
“The community needs that hospital there, but if they keep going this way, they’re going to have to close that hospital down, because they won’t be able to afford the fi nes,” she said.
While she plans to move out of the area, Miller said she will make herself available to testify in upcoming cases concerning the hospital.
beautiful afghan which she called a “hug”. When you came to her home she was sure to offer a hot cup of Folgers or a cold Pepsi and was always up for a game of Yahtzee.
She will be deeply missed by family and friends but we know she soars with the angels, dancing through heaven, no longer having to burden sorrow, pain or tears.
Her motto in death as it was in life:
Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting “Holy shit … what a ride!!”
Memorial services date pending in Ga llup a nd Pahrump. Please RSVP via 1942lalu@gmail.com
ARE YOU A Witness?
The Albuquerque law firm of Stiff Keith and Garcia is attempting to locate witnesses to an accident that happened in the parking lot of the Burger King located at 801 US HIGHWAY 491 on May 1, 2017. A female walking in the lot was injured when struck by a vehicle. If you witnessed the accident please call 210-771-2458 and leave your name and a phone number, at which you can be contacted. Thank you!!
PUBLIC SAFETYUBLIC SAFETY Weekly Police Activity Reports
Staff Reports
CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT
Gallup, June 28
G a l l u p P o l i c e O f f i c e r R i c h a r d Rangel said he was on p a t r ol o n U.S. Highway 66 when he noticed a car traveling with its headlights off. He began to follow the vehicle and conducted a traffi c stop near 1310 E. Hwy. 66.
He talked to the driver, Nicholas Scott, 28, of White River, Ariz., who told him he was chasing someone who took money from him. As he talked, Rangel said he noticed signs that Scott might be intoxicated.
When asked if he had been drinking that day, he said he had a drink around 9 am, but admitted he felt buzzed since he had not eaten anything that day.
He agreed to take the standard fi eld sobriety tests and had problems following directions, so he was arrested for DWI. A passenger in his car told Rangel that Scott had been drinking all day. Rangel also said there were two children inside the vehicle, ages one and fi ve years.
Scott refused to take a breath alcohol test. He was charged with aggravated DWI along with two counts of child endangerment. Rangel said he made a report to the Children Youth and Families Department after Scott was booked.
Scott was released on his own recognizance by a judge.
H I D I N G I N T H E BATHROOM
Gallup, June 27
A n d r e a Chimoni was excited about moving into her new home u n t i l s h e found a man hiding in the :+2 -LP5DPRQH \HDUVROG :+(1 0DUFK :+(5( *DOOXS :$17(')25 $WWHPSWHGPXUGHU DUPHGUREEHU\ XVHRIDÀUHDUP WDPSHULQJZLWKHYLGHQFH bathroom.
The man, Jeffery Tsosie, 48, of Window Rock, Ariz., was charged with breaking and entering.
Gallup Police Offi cer Richard Rangel said he responded to a break in call about 8 am on June 27. When he got to the house on Gomez Drive, he found the two outside the residence. Tsosie said he was sorry for scaring the lady.
He said he thought his girlfriend still lived there and had gone inside to use the bathroom. When he heard a car in the driveway, he decided to hide in the bathroom.
Chimoni said she had just rented the house from Gallup Housing and had gone to look it over, when she discovered a back window had been broken. She also realized that the bathroom door, which she had left open the day before, was now closed.
She told Rangel she was so scared she didn’t want to move into the house or have
7KH*DOOXS3ROLFH'HSDUWPHQW :$176<285+(/3 her children stay there. Rangel
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suggested she share her concerns with Gallup Housing.
Tsosie was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked on a charge of breaking and entering.
He was released on his own recognizance by a judge.
ASSAULT WITH AN IRON
Gallup, June 25
A Laguna resident was c h a r g e d with aggravated battery after using a tire iron on a dr inking friend.
G a l l u p Police Officer Joe Roanhorse said he was dispatched to the house on North McKinley Drive on June 25 in reference to a fi ght.
When he got there, he met Kerrie Cheromiah, who told him her boyfriend, Buckskin Hohenstein, was inside bleeding from his head. Roanhorse said he went into the residence and found Hohenstein in a bedroom with blood on his face.
He a l s o fou nd A my Cheromiah, 26, of Laguna, N.M., in the bedroom. She was holding
By Cody Begaye
Sun Correspondent
As pa r t of wh at F ire Lieutena nt A ndres Ca mpos c a l l e d a b u s y t i m e , t h e G a l l u p F i r e Department was called to the site of Black Diamond Mobile Home Park, 319 E. Wilson Ave. on July 22.
Campos said the call came a tire iron which she dropped on the fl oor when Roanhorse told her to do so. She was placed in handcuffs as Roanhorse began trying to learn what happened.
Kerrie Cheromiah said the three had been drinking when Amy Cheromiah and her boyfriend began arguing. Kerrie said Amy had been staying with them for a few weeks and the two didn’t get along.
Kerrie Cheromiah said she left the two arguing and went outside and sat in her car.
Hohenstein came out 15 minutes later and sat in the driver’s seat.
Amy Cheromiah followed a short time later and went up to the driver’s side door and began hitting Hohenstein over the head several times with a tire iron.
Hohenstein then went back into the house and Kerrie Cheromiah told Amy that if she tried to hit her with the tire iron, she would beat her up.
Kerrie Cheromiah said she then called police.
Amy was then taken to a local hospital for a medical clearance and to the county jail where she was booked on one charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Cheromiah was released on
Brush fi re sparks near trailer park
A fi re was reported at Black Diamond Trailer Park on July 22. The fi re department reported it was a brush fi re with no property damage. Photo Credit: Knifewing Segura
her own recognizance by a judge. into the fi re station about 4:38 pm that day, and he estimates the fi re had started within 10 minutes of the call being placed.
“We did see black smoke rising when we arrived at the scene,” Campos said. “But it ended up being some brush [that caught fi re], so we put it out using hand tools.”
There were no injuries and no structure damage was reported.
Staff Reports
Kalani Charley July 14, 10:44 pm Aggravated DWI
McKinley County Deputy Terence Willie said he was dispatched to County Road 1 to investigate a car crash. When he got there, he found Kalani Charley, 21, of Gallup, standing by his vehicle next to his mother, who had come to the scene after her son had called her.
Charley’s girlfriend was seated in the car. Willie said
Staff Reports
a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual(s) responsible for the homicide of Jacqueline Vigil.
Vigil, who was 55 years old at the time of her death, was the mother of two New Mexico State Police Offi cers.
She was fatally shot in her driveway in Albuquerque, while in her 2006 Cadillac sedan on Nov. 19, 2019. Vigil was reportedly about to go to the gym.
On Nov. 27, 2019, police located and recovered a Jeep they believe was involved in the homicide.
This case was discussed on July 22 during a White House news conference to announce the expansion of Operation Legend, which includes an he noticed that Charley showed signs of being intoxicated and asked if he had been drinking. He said no, but admitted to taking drugs earlier in the morning.
He agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests and failed, having a hard time keeping his balance. He was arrested for DWI.
Willie then talked to Charley’s girlfriend who admitted she and Charley had been drinking earlier that day.
Charley agreed to take a breath alcohol test and posted two samples of .21. He was then Jacqueline Vigil was killed in her vehicle by an unknown person on Nov. 19, 2019. The FBI is seeking information on the case, which is part of an expansion of Operation Legend. This initiative includes an increase in federal resources to fi ght crime in Albuquerque. Photo Credit: FBI increase in federal resources to fight violent crime in Albuquerque.
The Department of Justice will supplement state and local law enforcement agencies by transported to the county jail and booked and refused entry by the nurse
After that he was dropped off at his father’s house and will be charged with aggravated DWI.
Emmitt Duboise
July 10, 02:48 am
A g g r a v a t e d D W I (Second)
McK inley C o u n t y S h e r i f f ’ s D e p u t y Nocona Clark was dispa t che d t o the area of Six Mile Canyon Road and State Highway 400 in reference to sending more than 25 federal investigators from the FBI, DEA, and ATF to the city.
Under the leadership of John C. Anderson, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, these federal investigators will work closely a vehicle rollover. Clark and Deputy Clayton Etsitty were flagged down by a man who directed them to the crash site.
When the offi cers reached the site about a quarter of a mile from the location given by Metro Dispatch, they made contact with Emmitt Duboise, 27, of Vanderwagen, who told them he let his friend drive because he was intoxicated. However, he said he later woke up to the vehicle rolling over.
Duboise said his friend had left him at the scene, but he would be able to identify his face. Clark noted Duboise had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech along with a smell of alcohol on his person.
Medical units arrived on with the Albuquerque Police Department and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department, along with other local partners, through pre-existing task forces directed at combating violent crimes. In addition, up to 10 Homeland Security scene with a male who was identifi ed as the passenger in the vehicle. He stated Duboise had been the one driving during the crash and showed he had a video where he and Duboise were talking about switching seats later on, and Duboise had been driving.
After explaining the fi ndings to Duboise, Clark asked him if he would take the standard fi eld sobriety tests and he refused. He also refused to give a breath sample.
Clark transported Duboise to obtain a medical clearance, and then to the county jail where he was booked for
DWI REPORT
FBI announces $25,000 award for help in homicide case PART OF EXPANSION OF OPERATION LEGEND
The FBI is offering
Call for Availability or for a Free Consultation (505) 247-3223
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| SEE PAGE 20
Investigations/ICE agents will assist with the efforts in Albuquerque.
The investigation is ongoing.
If you have any information about this case, contact the Albuquerque branch of the FBI at (505)889-1438.
Gilly the Kid
Remember Me
Remember me with smiles not tears,
For all the joy through all the years.
Recall the closeness that was ours,
A love as “sweet” as fragrant flowers. Don’t dwell on thoughts that cause you pain, We’ll see each other once again. I am at peace…try to believe, It was my time…I had to leave.
But “what a view” I have from here, I see your face, I feel you near, I follow you throughout the day, You’re not alone along the way.
And when God calls you…you will be,
Right by my side…right here with me.
Till then, I’ll wait by Heaven’s door, We’ll be united…evermore! 10/4/91 – 7/22/16 Four years ago today the Good Lord called you home my sweet baby. People F t d th G d L d ll d h tell you it’s gonna get easier, but it never does. We all miss your gorgeous smile and your spontaneous personality. Rest easy my “Gilly” until we meet again. Love you always and miss you to the moon.
Mom, Dad, Amarra, JoJo, Roseann, Lilly, Denise, Cami Raye and Salvador
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