Grand jury indicts 8 people

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Some area individuals have been arrested and indicted by the 13th Judicial District grand jury in connection with bringing contraband, usually marijuana or amphetamine, onto prison grounds, at the New Mexico Women's Correctional Facility on the east side of Grants.

In addition, the grand jury also indicted three individuals on forgery charges, one on burglary and one other on drug-related charges.

The grand jury indicted by the following individuals and filed the cases in the 13th Judicial District Clerk's office on Jan. 18:

• Richard Buhrle, 68, bringing contraband onto prison grounds. On July 29, 2006, Buhrle allegedly brought methamphetamine into the prison when attempting to visit an inmate and was caught, according to the indictment. The charge is a third-degree felony.
  
  
• Stephanie Desantiago, 23, bringing contraband onto prison grounds and possession of marijuana, one ounce or less. On June 25, 2006, Desantiago attempted to bring marijuana into the New Mexico Women's Correctional facility in Grants. The charges are a third-degree felony and petty misdemeanor, respectively, according to the indictment.
  
  
• Rene Estrada, 33, forgery, issue or transfer; and conspiracy to commit forgery, make or alter. On July 19, 2006, Estrada allegedly tried to cash checks of a local resident without the man's knowledge or permission with a second man, according to the indictment. Both charges are fourth-degree felonies.
  
  
• Leo Gonzales Jr., 25, bringing contraband onto prison grounds and distribution of marijuana. On June 25, 2006, Gonzales brought marijuana into the New Mexico Women's Correctional facility in Grants and knowingly attempted to distribute it to inmates, according to the indictment. He is charged with a third-degree felony and a fourth degree felony, respectively.
  
  
• Robert Gonzales, 41, auto burglary, larceny over $350, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, one ounce or less. On July 30, 2006, Gonzales broke into a vehicle owned by another individual and attempted to steal the pick-up truck. He also took property that was in the truck and when arrested drug paraphernalia and marijuana was found on him, according to the indictment. Gonzales faces charges of two fourth-degree felonies, a misdemeanor and a petty misdemeanor, respectively.
  
  
• William Garcia, 23, possession of cocaine; driving on a revoked or suspended license. On Nov. 4, 2006, Garcia was stopped by police while driving. The cocaine was found on him at the time, according to the indictment. Garcia's charges are a fourth-degree felony and a misdemeanor, respectively.
  
  
• Victor Jose, forgery, issue or transfer; concealing identity. On Nov. 13, 2006, Jose attempted to cash a fake check at El Cafecito Restaurant. He was arrested and charged with concealing identity when he told police a false name, according to the indictment. Jose's charges are a fourth-degree felony and a petty misdemeanor, respectively.
  
  
• Jeff Martinez, 18, two counts of forgery, issue or transfer; conspiracy to commit forgery, make or alter. On July 17, 2006, Martinez attempted to cash a forged check with another person at Wells Fargo Bank without the check owner's permission or knowledge, according to the indictment. All three charges are fourth-degree felonies.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin, call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.