Staff Reports
A Gallup man is facing multiple charges after he reportedly threatened law enforcement officers with a gun when they tried to arrest him for an outstanding warrant.
On May 13, around 12 pm, the local Violent Gang Task Force, which is made up of Gallup Police officers, McKinley County Sheriff’s deputies, and FBI agents, assisted the Fugitive Apprehension Team from Adult Probation and Parole at a house in the 2000 block of Boyd Avenue in looking for a man by the name of Billy Gonzales. Gonzales, 57, reportedly had a warrant out for his arrest.
While the officers were searching the property they found a small white RV, which was locked. Officers announced their presence, but nobody came to the door, even though they could reportedly hear voices coming from inside the RV.
Officers were finally able to get the door open, and when they did so they found Gonzales sitting on a couch. Gonzales was reportedly pointing a silver revolver right at the officers. Officer Dominic Molina with the Gallup Police Department alerted the other officers to the gun.
Officers moved to a safe location but kept up communication with Gonzales. He reportedly said, “You’re going to have to kill me, I’m not going to jail.”
After several minutes of negotiating, Gonzales eventually surrendered and he was taken into custody.
McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Valle transported Gonzales to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center. Later on, correction officers from the jail called Metro Dispatch and reported that they found a small baggie in Gonzales’ possession. The baggie contained a glass shard-like substance, which officers allegedly identified as methamphetamine.
Gonzales was charged with assault with intent to commit a violent felony upon a peace officer, bringing contraband into a jail, and possession of a controlled substance, along with his previous charges. His preliminary hearing for the new charges is scheduled for June 17 in Gallup Magistrate Court.
