Staff Reports
SEVEN FENTANYL PILLS
Gallup, Aug. 12
A man is facing drug charges after a Gallup Police officer reportedly found him near a local car wash with seven fentanyl pills in his possession.
On Aug. 12, around 7:45 pm, Gallup Police Officer Jordan Gemme was checking the area of the Munoz Overpass and the Premier Car Wash when he came in contact with a man named Kevin Belinte.
Belinte, 45, was reportedly sitting in an area marked “No Trespassing” and he was allegedly trying to hide under his jacket.
When Gemme made contact with Belinte, he found that he reportedly had seven fentanyl pills within his possession.
Metro Dispatch informed Gemme and other officers that Belinte had an active warrant out for his arrest, but it was only valid in Bernalillo County.
The officers arrested Belinte for possession of a controlled substance and criminal trespassing. His preliminary hearing in Gallup Magistrate Court is scheduled for Aug. 26 in Gallup Magistrate Court.
‘HEY, LET ME GET ONE MORE HIT’
Gallup, Aug. 10
A man reportedly asked a Gallup Police Officer if he could take “one more hit” of fentanyl while he was being arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
On Aug. 10, around 10:45 am, Gallup Police Officer Eric Mangum was on patrol near the SpringHill Suites, located at 1105 W. Lincoln Ave., when he noticed a man named Colby Charles, 27. According to his report, Mangum had prior interactions with Charles, and Metro Dispatch confirmed that he had a warrant out for his arrest. The warrant was for failure to appear in court, with an original charge of battery of a household member.
Mangum approached Charles and detained him. He then walked him back to his patrol unit, and conducted a standard body search.
Mangum then was reportedly trying to place Charles in the back of his patrol vehicle when Charles allegedly said, “Hey, let me get one more hit.” Mangum asked Charles what he was referring to, and he reportedly said “the foil.” Mangum had allegedly removed a piece of aluminum foil from Charles’ pants pocket.
There was also allegedly a piece of foil on the ground, and Charles was looking at it. Mangum picked the foil up and reportedly found a partially melted blue pill on it, which he identified as fentanyl.
Charles was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. His preliminary hearing for the new drug charge is scheduled for Aug. 26 in Gallup Magistrate Court.
PASSED OUT AND DROOLING
Gallup, Aug. 9
A Gallup Police officer found a man passed out and drooling near a local laundry mat, and arrested him for drug possession.
On Aug. 9, around 3 am, Gallup Police Officer Coleman Watkins was on duty near the Busy Bee Laundry, located at 2010 E. Hwy. 66, when he noticed a man sitting on the ground leaning on an electrical box with his head down. The male was eventually identified as Deron Yazzie, 31.
According to Watkins’ report, Yazzie had his head down, and he had a red plastic straw and some aluminum foil in his lap. He also had a blue lighter on the ground next to him.
When Watkins approached Yazzie he was reportedly drooling and snoring. Watkins woke him up and asked him how long ago he’d smoked, and Yazzie reportedly said he’d smoked an hour prior to Watkins waking him up.
Metro Dispatch informed Watkins that Yazzie had two active warrants from the McKinley County District Court. Watkins arrested Yazzie for possession of a controlled substance, along with his outstanding warrants.
When Watkins picked up the aluminum foil that allegedly belonged to Yazzie, he found a half-melted blue pill, which he identified as fentanyl.
Yazzie’s preliminary hearing for the new possession charge was scheduled for Aug. 19 in Gallup Magistrate Court.
HUDDLING TOGETHER
Gallup, July 27
A woman was arrested for drug possession after a Gallup Police Officer initially found her huddled in a group on Highway 66.
On July 27, around 6 am, Gallup Police Officer Jordan Gemme was on duty traveling eastbound in the 900 block of East Highway 66 when he reportedly noticed three individuals huddled together in a corner. According to his report, he believed they were possibly using illicit drugs.
Gemme shone a large light on the group, and they all scattered. One of them, a woman who was later identified as Leanne Yazzie, reportedly had some drug paraphernalia in plain sight—two metal straws.
When Gemme confronted Yazzie, 29, he also allegedly noticed that she had two plastic containers along with the metal straws. One of the containers reportedly contained a small clear baggie which had a crystal-like substance in it. Gemme identified the substance as methamphetamine. Gemme eventually learned that Yazzie had 0.2 grams of methamphetamine on her.
When Gemme conducted a routine body search of Yazzie, he also reportedly found additional drug paraphernalia on her.
Yazzie was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her preliminary hearing in Gallup Magistrate Court was scheduled for Aug. 19.
