Criminals are growing bolder on New Mexico back roads, but in Catron County this past weekend sheriff’s deputies interrupted a meth operation and arrested a felon who had been warned earlier by Border Patrol agents about smuggling individuals across the U.S. border.

During the early morning hours of Sunday, April 21, a one-vehicle roll over was reported on Highway 12, just north of Reserve. Undersheriff R.D. Hays responded and during his investigation he found two syringes, with one still containing possible narcotics.

Oneta Horn of Deming, the vehicle’s driver, was transported to Gila Medical Center in Silver City. Hays also learned Horn had outstanding warrants out of Luna County.
As Hays neared the completion of his investigation, he found several sets of footprints leaving the scene and crossing the fence heading east. He called for assistance while he began to track the subjects.

The individuals, who left the scene, made a big circle and headed back towards Reserve where Hays later found five individuals near the Mountaineer Inn and took them into custody.

“The deputy determined all five subjects were from Guatemala without documentation, so they were turned over to Border Patrol,” Sheriff Keith Hughes said. “We are overwhelmed with human smuggling around here because people avoid the Interstate. If we had the manpower and the time we could do nothing but human smuggling cases.”

While interviewing the undocumented Guatemalans, deputies learned another vehicle was on its way from Deming to pick up the apprehended individuals.

Catron County sheriff’s deputies remained in the Reserve area while attempting to locate the vehicle.

Shortly after noon, Deputy Eddie Taylor located the vehicle and made a
traffic stop. Wilfrido Saenz, of Demming, was arrested for possession of methamphetamines. Saenz had been warned earlier by Border Patrol agents about migrant smuggling. Saenz is Horn’s husband.

Saenz’s vehicle was seized as well as a search warrant executed for his vehicle, where a 9 mm firearm was found. Saenz, a felon, was arrested for possession of a fire arm. According to reports, Saenz told Deputy Taylor that he was called in the early morning hours just after he got a dose of methamphetamines and was paid $250 to pick up the two men and three women from Guatemala.

Horn will be arrested in Grant County once she is released from the hospital for her Luna County warrants.

She also will be facing additional charges in Catron County for possession of a controlled substance.

Sheriff Hughes said they have eight deputies for the whole county and although population wise it’s enough, it’s not enough for the physical size of the county. During incidents like the one that occurred on Sunday, Hughes said he was extremely thankful for Operation Stonegarden funding which provides extra manpower overtime.

 

Wanda Moeller