FBI operation catches ten of northern New Mexico’s ‘most dangerous criminals’
ESPAÑOLA, N.M. (KRQE) – Federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement said their 10-month "Operation Tempest" came in direct response to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declaring a state of emergency in Española last summer. As a result, operation leaders said they got some of northern New Mexico's most dangerous criminals off the street. "Española is the heart of northern New Mexico; if we can change Española, we can change how things go in New Mexico," said Española's Chief of Police Jack Jones.
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It was a crackdown on what the FBI calls 10 of the most dangerous criminals in the Española area, leading to arrests being made in a recent partnership to get "The worst of the worst" to face federal charges.
The U.S. Assistant Attorney for New Mexico, Ryan Ellison, described the 10 charged, "They have prior convictions for things like murder, robbery, child abuse, drug trafficking, burglary, and they continue to be a problem on a routine basis"
"The way we all looked at it is, if you basically cut off the head of the snake, which is how we look at these 10 individuals, it's gonna decrease violent crime," said Special Agent in Charge Justin Garris.
Announcing the results at a news conference on Wednesday, the local FBI operation hopes to bring more accountability. Ellison said, "Federal sentences require them to serve a minimum, even if they get good time, 85% of any sentence imposed".
The FBI says each of the 1 arrested is facing firearms charges, while others are also facing drug charges, and four have already pleaded guilty.
FBI special agent in charge Justin Garris calls the work a success, while giving credit to local agencies. "What really drives it is the tribal and the local partners, because they're on the front lines every day"
FBI leaders declined to share more details, but confirmed they're working on two other "Operations" similar to this one in Espanola, but in other parts of New Mexico.
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