Grants man ordered to stay away from family

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — It is well documented by police reports that domestic violence increases during the holidays due to stress, anger, depression and often alcohol.

A 55-year-old Grants man was arrested and charged with two counts of battery against his wife and father and faces the two misdemeanor counts in Cibola County Magistrate Court on Feb. 19.

If prosecuted and convicted of both counts, Erick Orechhia, of 835 E. Sage, faces up to two days short of two years in state prison, a fine of $2,000, or both.

Grants police responded to a call of domestic violence at a residence in the 800 block of Houston on Dec. 15. At the time, Orechhia left the residence with his four children, after hitting his wife and when his father tried to stop him, Orechhia attacked his father, according to Magistrate Court records.

Grants Police Lt. Corey Allen said there are many reasons for an increase of domestic violence during the holidays and one of those is depression because the person involved cannot afford the kind of gifts he or she wants to give to a family member or a loved one, and alcohol also plays a part.

“Depression is a factor and it often leads to anger,” he said. “Some people have lost family members or loved ones during the holidays and that also adds to the stress of this time of year.”

Allen was not able to discern why Orechhia was involved in the domestic violence case because the police report did not state any reasons.

The incident occurred at Orechhia’s father’s residence. When Rick Orechhia left he went to his residence at the Sage address, where police located and arrested him, Allen said. Orechhia did not resist arrest.

He was seen in Magistrate Court by Judge Manuel Lujan and released on his own recognizance.

Lujan ordered Orechhia not to have any contact with his wife or father.

“He can live is a motel, a friend’s house or on the street, but he cannot live with his wife or father because the judge ordered him not to,” Allen said.

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