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Pecos Valley Drug Task Force, 101 W Greene Street, Carlsbad, NM (2026)

09/18/2025

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** **Eddy County, NM – September 16, 2025**

The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force announces the arrest of Jason Cunningham (12/25/1979), marking a significant step forward in its ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crime and improve community safety.

Over the past several months, dedicated agents from the Task Force have conducted extensive investigations and numerous operations in collaboration with federal agencies to tackle drug trafficking and distribution in Eddy County. In a recent operation, the Task Force successfully executed a search warrant, resulting in the seizure of substantial quantities of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine and co***ne.

The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force is committed to diligently dismantling drug trafficking organizations that pose a risk to the safety of our community. Community members are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking by contacting Crime Stoppers at (575) 887-1888.

The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force is comprised of law enforcement personnel from the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, the Artesia Police Department, and the Bureau of Land Management, and operates as part of the HIDTA Region VI Drug Task Force.

07/24/2025

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** **Eddy County, NM – July 23, 2025**

The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force announces that Cruz Melendrez (06/19/1967), a long-standing local drug trafficker, has been sentenced in two cases to a combined 18.5 years in prison for his involvement in the possession, sale, and distribution of illegal drugs within our community.

These rulings represent a significant advancement in our ongoing efforts to address drug-related issues and protect the safety and well-being of our citizens. Mr. Melendrez was apprehended following a comprehensive multi-year investigation conducted by the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force, in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies and the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

During court proceedings, evidence presented by the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office HIDTA Attorney illustrated Mr. Melendrez’s extensive participation in narcotics trafficking and usage, which has contributed to the persistent drug epidemic affecting our community.

The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force is committed to diligently dismantling drug trafficking organizations that pose a risk to the safety of our community. Community members are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking by contacting Crime Stoppers at (575) 887-1888.
The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force is comprised of law enforcement personnel from the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, the Artesia Police Department, and the Bureau of Land Management, and operates as part of the HIDTA Region VI Drug Task Force.

06/10/2025

Wanted Fugitive Arrest

On June 1, 2025, Agents with the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force led an operation with the assistance of the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, Artesia Police Department.

The joint operation led to the arrest of one Artesia resident, Saul Peralta. Peralta was stopped for a narcotics investigation on US Highway 285 and Funk Rd. After a brief roadside interview, Peralta fled from the traffic stop at a high rate of speed. Agents were able to deploy stop sticks, effectively flattening both front tires of the black Ford F-150 Peralta was operating. Peralta continued to flee and drive dangerously throughout the City of Artesia. During the pursuit, Agents observed Peralta toss a firearm out of the driver window. This firearm was later recovered and found to be full auto short-barreled AR-15.

Peralta came to an abrupt stop at the Abo Apartment complex and fled on foot, Agents were able to take chase and track Peralta into an apartment where he hid in a child’s bedroom. Peralta was taken into custody without further incident.

Peralta is facing the following charges:

- Aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer
- Child Abuse
- Felon in possession of a firearm
- Tampering with evidence
- Possession of a controlled substance

In addition, Peralta currently has a US Marshals hold and is now facing additional federal charges. Peralta was on federal probation for trafficking at the time of the incident.

The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force is comprised of law enforcement officers from the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, the Artesia Police Department, the Bureau of Land Management and is part of the HIDTA Region VI Drug Task Force. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988.

05/19/2025

Wanted Fugitive Arrest
On 5/13/2025 Agents with the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force led an operation with the assistance of the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, Artesia Police Department, and the Yavapai Sheriff’s Office.

The joint operation led to the arrest of two Artesia residents, (Israel Lopez and Marisela Reyes). The two were wanted out of Yavapai Sheriff’s office and each are being charged for: Armed Robbery, Theft, Aggravated Robbery, Kidnapping, Trafficking Stolen Property, Aggravated Assault, and Burglary in the 1st Degree.

PVDTF started their investigation in March 2025, when Yavapai County reached out to PVDTF for assistance. Yavapai learned through their investigation that the suspects may reside within Eddy County. PVDTF quickly built leads and intel from anonymous tips and sources, helping Yavapai County investigators identify suspects and draft warrants.

On the day of the arrest, Agents along with the help of the Eddy County Sheriff's Office and the Artesia Police Department were able to locate and arrest both Israel and Marisela. Marisela was arrested at her residence without incident, Israel however led Deputies in a brief vehicle pursuit. After crashing the vehicle he was driving, Isreal immediately exited the vehicle and attempted to flee with a pistol in hand but was tripped up by debris. Israel lost his firearm after falling to the ground, at which point he surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.

The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force is comprised of law enforcement officers from the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, the Artesia Police Department, the Bureau of Land Management and is part of the HIDTA Region VI Drug Task Force. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988.

05/08/2024

Dated 05-08-24

Two former Eddy County residents arrested in Mexico.

Two men with ties to Carlsbad New Mexico were arrested yesterday in Mexico. David Haynes and Johnny Crowley were located in Juarez, MX. The two were wanted in the USA for federal violations of the law. Pecos Valley Drug Task Force Agents working with the Marshals Service, DEA and HSI received information that David Haynes was hiding from authorities in Mexico.

Haynes is wanted by Agents for drug trafficking crimes that occurred in Carlsbad on or about March 20th, 2023. During this time Agents were able to show probable cause that Mr. Haynes was possessing with intent to traffic approximately 17,000 fentanyl pills at his home in Carlsbad. Once the case was put together a federal warrant for Haynes’ arrest was issued. By this time Haynes had moved out of Carlsbad.

Agents learned that Haynes was in Mexico and was residing with Mr. Crowley who had a probation violation arrest warrant. Our federal partners were able to reach out to Mexican authorities who assisted in locating and returning the two men back to America. The pair of wanted men were returned from Mexican custody back to American custody at a port of entry between Juarez, MX and El Paso, TX. This is a great example of teamwork to bring justice to those who flee from it according to Sheriff Mark Cage.

This was a collaborative effort from local and federal law enforcement with a proper outcome. Agents were assisted by the Carlsbad Police Department, Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, DEA, HSI, and the USMS. Pecos Valley Drug Task Force is part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) which is a program that dedicates funding to further assisting local law enforcement with combating drug trafficking in our community.

03/13/2024

Wanted fugitive arrested in Carlsbad.

On 03-11-24 Agents with the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force and US Marshals Service conducted an investigation that led to the seizure of approximately 440 fentanyl pills, 94 grams of methamphetamine and one firearm.

Gabriel Rodriguez was sought by agents for having a federal probation violation warrant for escape from federal custody. Agents working on information that Rodriguez was staying at local motels in Carlsbad and trafficking in illegal narcotics were able to locate the fugitive at a local motel near the 2400 block of S. Canal in Carlsbad. Agents observed the fugitive exit a room and enter a parked vehicle. Agents approached the subject and took him into custody without incident. During the search Mr. Rodriguez had a loaded 9mm pistol on his person. Mr. Rodriguez is a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing fi****ms. During the contact agents deployed a K9 on the vehicle previously occupied by Rodriguez. K9 Mayhem alerted to the presence of narcotics and a search of the vehicle uncovered three separate baggies of fentanyl pills and methamphetamine. The contraband was seized by task force agents.

Based on the investigation Rodriguez will be charged with federal fi****ms violations of the law along with drug trafficking offenses. Mr. Rodriguez has an extended criminal history. He was remanded to federal custody of the US Marshals.

This arrest was a collaborative effort involving the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, the Carlsbad Police Department, the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force, and the US Marshals Service.

02/22/2024

Joint investigation leads to the arrest of three Artesia residents.

A joint effort by local and federal law enforcement led to the apprehension of three Artesia, New Mexico residents.

On January 31, 2024, Dillon McLaughlin was located at a residence on rural South Roselawn in Artesia. McLaughlin was wanted for federal charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and for use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Amanda Montes who was in the same residence with McLaughlin was arrested for a NM State probation and parole violation.

Michael Martin was arrested on February 15th, 2024. Martin was located at an Artesia residence near the 300 block of N. Fourth Street. Martin was wanted for a federal violation of supervised release.

This investigation was a collaborative effort between the United States Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, NMSP, PVDTF, the Carlsbad Police Department, the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, and the Artesia Police Department.

02/22/2024

Wanted males arrested after a short SWAT standoff.

Date & Time: February 20, 2024, at approximately 9:00 a.m.
Location: 700 block of Hickory, Carlsbad, New Mexico

While on patrol, Carlsbad Police Department officers observed a male later identified as forty-one-year-old Robert Cain Williams outside a residence. Subsequent confirmation revealed that Williams had an outstanding arrest warrant for several violent felonies. Following this discovery, a search warrant was sought and approved. Considering factors such as Williams' arrest history, previous interactions with law enforcement, and the background of other known individuals associated with the residence, the decision was made to activate the Eddy County Regional SWAT team. This team is comprised of members of the Carlsbad Police Department and Eddy County Sheriff’s Office.

Upon activation, the SWAT team attempted to persuade the subjects to exit the residence. When this proved unsuccessful, a decision was made to enter. Contact was then made with Robert Cain Williams, Daniel Mauzey, and Samuel Mauzey who were all detained without further incident. Williams was arrested for first-degree kidnapping, armed robbery, and failure to appear. Daniel Mauzey faced charges of fi****ms or destructive devices; receipt, transportation, or possession by a felon, as well as failure to pay a fine. Samuel Mauzey was released on the scene. A search of the residence yielded the discovery of a large amount of packaged United States bulk currency estimated at over $30,000.00, lots of ammunition, and fi****ms some confirmed to be stolen. This investigation is still ongoing with the assistance of the members of the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force and may result in further criminal charges. Anyone with any information should call the Carlsbad Police Department at (575) 885-2111 ext. 0.

As always, should you wish to remain anonymous you can always contact Crime Stoppers using one of the following methods: Call (575) 887-1888 or toll-free (844) 786-7227, visiting eddycountycrimestoppers.com or using the mobile app, P3 Tips. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.

02/15/2024

Fentanyl Trafficker arrested.

On January 18, 2024, Agents with the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force conducted a narcotics investigation that led to the seizure of approximately 2,910 fentanyl pills, 35 grams of methamphetamine and six fi****ms.

Agents located and arrested Juan Montez just north of Artesia in Eddy County, NM. Montez was the driver of the vehicle and had several warrants for his arrest. Montez was suspected of possessing trafficking amounts of narcotics at the time of contact. A traffic stop was conducted which Montez fled from. A pursuit ensued whereby Montez’s vehicle was disabled by a tire deflation device. The pursuit ended near Artesia on US 285. Montez was arrested. Once arrested Montez stated he had swallowed unknown pills and felt ill. He was rushed to the Artesia emergency room where life saving measures were taken by ER staff. Mr. Montez was eventually taken to the Eddy County Detention Center.

During a search of the vehicle driven by Montez Agents located thousands of fentanyl pills in a container with many thrown about the vehicle. Six fi****ms were also found, some loaded, and some reported as stolen. Based on the investigation Mr. Montez is facing new charges for trafficking fentanyl and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. A criminal history of Mr. Montez showed prior felony convictions for a 2020 conviction of aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer and a 2019 conviction for aggravated assault. Montez also was on probation out of Colorado.

Mr. Montez has a history of violence and continues to show he will continue to violate the law. We know our community is safer with his arrest according to ECSO Sheriff Mark Cage.

PVDTF Agents conducted this investigation with the assistance of the Carlsbad Police Department, Artesia Police Department, and the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office. A special thanks goes out to the Firefighters, Medics, and ER staff who responded very quickly to assist with this incident.

01/24/2024

January 24, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Two Defendants Arrested During 2023 Joint Enforcement Operation in Carlsbad Plead Guilty to Conspiracy Charges

Contact: Public Affairs Specialist
(505) 346-7274
https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm
[email protected]

Two Defendants Arrested During 2023 Joint Enforcement Operation in Carlsbad Plead Guilty to Conspiracy Charges

ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Towanda R. Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Division, announced today that Brian Kain Purdy and Sabino Alfonso Maldonado, two of the 12 defendants arrested during a joint enforcement operation last year in Carlsbad, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States and conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States. Purdy, 42, of Carlsbad, will remain on conditions of release pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. Maldonado, 32, of Carlsbad, will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

In their plea agreements, Purdy and Maldonado admitted that on March 8, 2023, they picked up six fi****ms in Carlsbad at the direction of a co-conspirator and, together with another individual, wrapped them in towels and loaded them into a Jeep, hiding them underneath other items in the Jeep. Purdy and Maldonado then turned the Jeep over to another individual, who had traveled to Carlsbad from Mexico in order to pick up the fi****ms and transport them back to Mexico. As the individual from Mexico began to drive back to Mexico with the fi****ms, he was stopped by law enforcement officer, and the fi****ms were seized. The seized fi****ms are all controlled on the Commerce Control List, and neither Purdy nor Maldonado had obtained a license and written authorization to export the fi****ms. Purdy and Maldonado admitted that they knew that the attempted exportation of the fi****ms was in violation of the law.

At sentencing, Purdy and Maldonado both face up to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of mandatory supervised release.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives, and the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force led the investigation, with enforcement assistance from the United States Marshal Service, Carlsbad Police Department, Eddy County Sheriff’ Department, Roswell Police Department, Chaves County Drug Task Force, DEA Airwing and Customs and Border Patrol. The New Mexico Air National Guard’s Air Unit, Artesia Police Department and Customs and Border Patrol’s Air Unit provided support during the operation on August 1, 2023.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Renee L. Camacho and Devon Aragon-Martinez are prosecuting the case. This investigation was conducted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

01/12/2024

Carlsbad woman arrested for trafficking fentanyl.

On 10-11-23 Agents with the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force were involved in a narcotics investigation that led to the arrest of Kathryn McDonald of Carlsbad, NM. Task Force Agents made contact with McDonald at her home near the 4400 block of Apple Street. Agents executed a search warrant at the residence where McDonald and two others were contacted. An extensive search of the location lead to several thousand pills of fentanyl being located and seized. Smaller amounts of methamphetamine, three fi****ms and over eight thousand dollars in US currency were also located.

Agents determined probable cause existed to charge McDonald with trafficking fentanyl in Eddy County. Based on the overall investigation over 16,000 m/30 fentanyl were seized by Agents.

The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force investigated this case collaboratively with help from the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, and the Carlsbad Police Department. Any persons who wish to provide any information about this case or other drug related criminal cases can contact PVDTF Commander Lenin Leos at 575-887-5194. Anonymous drug tips can also be reported via Crime Stoppers of Eddy County at 575-887-1888.

09/13/2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2023
https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm

Carlsbad Man Sentenced to 70 Years in Prison for Production and Distribution of Child P**n

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Joseph Crutcher was sentenced to 70 years in prison and ordered pay $50,000 in restitution. Crutcher, 59, of Carlsbad, pled guilty on Feb. 27 to production of a visual depiction of a minor engaging in s*xually explicit conduct, distribution of child po*******hy, and possession of child po*******hy.

According to court documents, on Nov. 8, 2022, a Task Force Officer (TFO) was monitoring a fe**sh website that is known to be used to meet, discuss and trade child s*xual abuse material (CSAM) when they were contacted by a private user. The user offered and provided the TFO with several images of a minor performing s*xually explicit conduct.

On Nov. 9, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation identified the user of the account as Rachel Crutcher and obtained a search warrant for Crutcher’s residence in Carlsbad. During the ex*****on of the search warrant, agents spoke to Crutcher and his wife Rachel. Joseph admitted he was the one who had taken the pictures of him s*xually abusing the children and claimed Rachel was unaware of his conduct. Rachel initially denied knowledge or involvement, but during a later interview she admitted she had been involved.

Through diligent investigation, agents determined that both Joseph and Rachel had s*xually abused three minor children they had access to from the time they were infants with the intent of producing CSAM and that Joseph, posing as Rachel, was the individual who sent the images to the TFO. The investigation also revealed that Joseph had recruited other men to s*xually abuse one of the children.

Upon his release from prison, Crutcher will be subject to lifetime supervised release and must register as a s*x offender.
On Feb. 27, 2023, Rachel Crutcher pled guilty to production of child po*******hy and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Upon her release from prison, Rachel must register as a s*x offender.
Roswell Resident Agency and Albuquerque Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa A. Ong and Matilda M. Villalobos are prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child s*xual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.

Pecos Valley Drug Task Force

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