Staff Reports
Featured DWI
Alexis Martinez
Feb. 5, 12:47 pm
Aggravated DWI, speeding 15-20 over limit
A traffic stop led to the arrest of a Gallup male for both DWI as well as negligent use of a deadly weapon.
McKinley County Sheriff’s Officer Dominic Molina was patrolling eastbound on U.S. Highway 66 when he observed a black Hyundai Sonata traveling westbound about 47 mph in a 30-mph zone. Molina turned around and followed the vehicle, conducting a traffic stop after pulling it over near El Sombrero restaurant at 1201 Hwy. 66.
The driver, identified as Alexis Martinez, 21, reportedly displayed signs of intoxication, including smelling of alcohol and having bloodshot, watery eyes as he spoke to Molina. Martinez admitted consuming an unspecified amount and type of alcohol prior to driving, but he refused the Standard Field Sobriety Tests as well as giving a breath sample. He was placed under arrest for his refusals.
Further investigation showed that the vehicle had expired insurance and a suspended registration. There were also three other passengers, also intoxicated, all of whom were asked to exit the vehicle. Other officers arrived at the scene, where they observed a large sum of cash on the front passenger seat and numerous small baggies, which Molina stated are often used in the packaging of narcotics, in the center console.
Officers also found a Glock .45 caliber handgun underneath the driver’s seat. Due to Martinez being under the influence, he was also charged with negligent use of a firearm.
K9 «Rookie» conducted a narcotics sniff, alerting officers to possible drugs inside the vehicle. The car was towed to the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation, and the firearm was logged into evidence.
After being processed at the sheriff’s office, Martinez was transported and booked into the McKinley County Adult Detention Center for aggravated DWI, negligent use of a deadly weapon, speeding over 15-20 mph, and no license, registration, or insurance. His pretrial hearing is set for Feb. 27.
Name: Shania Toadlena
Age: 24
Arrested: Feb. 8
Charge: Aggravated DWI
Status: Pretrial hearing on March 4
Name: Tasha Jones
Age: 31
Arrested: Feb. 7
Charge: Aggravated DWI (Second)
Status: Pretrial hearing on March 11
Name: Jack Roanhorse Jr.
Age: 27
Arrested: Jan. 31
Charge: Aggravated DWI (Second)
Status: Pretrial hearing on Feb. 20
Name: Nelson Toledo
Age: 61
Arrested: Jan. 30
Charge: Aggravated DWI (Second)
Status: Pretrial hearing on March 4
Name: Melinda Lee
Age: 32
Arrested: Jan. 29
Charge: Aggravated DWI (Second)
Status: Pretrial hearing on Feb. 20
Name: Tisha Kay Lonjose
Age: 26
Arrested: Jan. 20
Charge: Aggravated DWI
Status: Pretrial hearing on Feb. 11
