Staff Reports
DRUGS IN A PINK HAT
Gallup, Aug. 27
A Gallup man is facing a new drug charge after a police officer allegedly found fentanyl in a pink hat.
On Aug. 27, around 9:15 am, Gallup Police Officer Jordan Gemme responded to a situation at Gas Up, 928 E. Hwy. 66, after individuals were reportedly seen using narcotics in the area.
When Gemme arrived at the scene, he found a group of individuals huddled on the west side of the business. He noticed that one man, who was eventually identified as Juan Angel, was holding a pink hat. There was reportedly some burnt aluminum foil in the hat, along with two blue pills, which Gemme identified as fentanyl.
Gemme placed Angel, 22, in handcuffs, then he checked in with Metro Dispatch to see if he had any outstanding warrants out for his arrest. Angel reportedly had two active warrants.
Angel was transported to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where he was booked for his outstanding warrants and a new charge of possession of a controlled substance. His preliminary examination in Gallup Magistrate Court for the new charge is scheduled for Sept. 9.
HIDING FENTANYL IN HER PURSE
Gallup, Aug. 26
A woman is facing drug charges after a Gallup Police officer allegedly found methamphetamine and fentanyl pills inside her purse.
On Aug. 26, around 9:45 pm, Gallup Police Officer Jordan Gemme was on duty near the Sun Loan Bank (1600 E. Hwy. 66) when he noticed two women sitting on the west side of the bank. One of the women, who was eventually identified as Vanessa Chavez, reportedly had a small clear baggie that had a crystal-like substance in it. The baggie was reportedly at her feet.
Gemme reportedly told Chavez, 40, not to touch the baggie. He then identified the substance as possible methamphetamine.
He placed Chavez in handcuffs and released the other woman from the scene.
When Gemme went to pick up Chavez’s bag, an uncapped pill bottle reportedly fell out. Gemme reportedly found another baggie with four blue pills inside the pill bottle. He identified the pills as fentanyl.
Chavez was arrested and transported to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center. She was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Her preliminary hearing for the two charges is scheduled for Sept. 16 in Gallup Magistrate Court.
HIDING FENTANYL PILLS INSIDE HER VAGINA
Gallup, Aug. 18
A woman is facing a tampering with evidence charge after she reportedly hid a baggie full of fentanyl pills inside her vagina.
On Aug. 18, around 10:45 am, Gallup Police Officer Jordan Gemme was on duty near the Munoz Overpass and the Premier Car Wash when he noticed a woman who was later identified as Chantel Largo, 37, who was reportedly smoking illicit drugs. Gemme stated in his report he could tell this is what she was doing because she had a straw and some aluminum foil.
Largo was also reportedly sitting in a No Trespassing area.
Gemme asked Largo to show him what was in the aluminum foil, and when she showed him he allegedly saw a small blue pill, which he identified as fentanyl.
Gemme placed Largo in handcuffs, and led her to his patrol vehicle. He then performed a routine search, and didn’t find any weapons on her.
Metro Dispatch informed Gemme that Largo had three active warrants out for her arrest. Gemme drove Largo to Metro Dispatch so he could get copies of her warrants, then he transported her to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where she was booked for her warrants, possession of a controlled substance, and criminal trespass.
According to his report, jail staff informed Gemme that they found contraband in Largo’s genital area. They reportedly recovered 13 additional fentanyl pills inside another plastic baggie from her vagina. She also reportedly hid a piece of aluminum foil, which contained a burnt fentanyl pill, inside herself.
Thus, Largo was also charged with tampering with evidence.
Her preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 2 in Gallup Magistrate Court. As of press time, no further updates were available.
TRYING TO CRUSH THE EVIDENCE
Gallup, Aug. 14
Gallup police officers reportedly caught a man with 13 fentanyl pills.
On Aug. 14, around 5:45 pm, Gallup Police Officer Eric Mangum was on patrol near Domino’s Pizza, 915 E. Hwy. 66, when he noticed several individuals behind a nearby business.
Officer Jordan Gemme and Mangum approached the individuals. One of the individuals was identified as Theodore Bennet, whom Mangum allegedly recognized from previous encounters.
When Mangum approached Bennet, 22, he reportedly saw a small blue pill in his hand. Bennet reportedly saw Mangum looking at the pill, tried to crush it between his fingers, and threw it on the ground.
Mangum placed Bennet in handcuffs, and as he did so he allegedly saw a small clear plastic baggie tucked inside his jacket. The baggie reportedly contained another 11 small, blue pills, which Mangum identified as fentanyl.
The officers also reportedly found another fentanyl pill on the ground. They recovered 13 pills.
Bennet allegedly told the officers that he’d found the pills in the trash.
Mangum placed Bennet under arrest, and guided him into his patrol unit. During a routine search, he reportedly found multiple pieces of aluminum foil that appeared to be burnt on Bennet’s person. The foil is often used to smoke narcotics.
Bennet was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence. His first court appearance in Gallup Magistrate Court related to the new charges is scheduled for Sept. 15.
