Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
A Tucumcari woman faces three felony charges after being accused of possessing methamphetamine and powerful painkiller with a child next to the narcotics in the front seat of her car.
Monica Marie Bradley, 38, was jailed on two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, felony abuse of a child (first offense; placed in a dangerous situation), possession of drug paraphernalia, no driver’s license and lack of proof of insurance.
The child-abuse count is a third-degree felony that can lead to three years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. The two felony possession counts are fourth-degree charges that can lead up to 18 months in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.
According to a criminal complaint filed July 19 in Tucumcari Magistrate Court by Quay County sheriff’s deputy Christopher Valdez, he was patrolling on Tucumcari Boulevard on May 23 when he saw Bradley driving in a Ford Taurus. Valdez confirmed with a radio dispatcher his suspicion she had an expired driver’s license, and he conducted a traffic stop on Fifth Street after she stopped to let a child out at a school.
Valdez asked Bradley whether she had a license, registration and proof of insurance. She said her license had expired and could not produce proof of insurance. Valdez told her he would have to tow the vehicle because of her lack of a license and paperwork. She became upset, stating she needed her vehicle.
When Valdez asked whether anything illegal was in the car, she said she had a “bag of stuff” and handed him a shaving bag in the front seat next to where the child had been seated. She consented for him to search the bag.
“There were syringes, suboxone strips that were not hers, glass pipe used for smoking methamphetamine,” Valdez wrote in the complaint. Suboxone is a powerful painkiller.
Valdez asked Sheriff Russell Shafer to bring a female jailer from the Quay County Detention Center to search Bradley because “she is known to carry narcotics in her bra.” During the jail employee’s search, Bradley pulled out a small white bag containing suspected methamphetamine.
Valdez transported Bradley to Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari for a medical evaluation before her jail booking. A physician there noted Bradley’s elevated blood pressure and said she was unfit for incarceration.
Bradley told Valdez she wanted to “work for me to get rid of those charges.” Valdez advised her to check in to officers daily but failed to do so after about a week.
“On June 29, 2019, I had one of my credible informants call and check in and stated that Monica Bradley was selling dope,” Valdez wrote. Deputies put her under surveillance and determined on multiple nights she left her home after 10 p.m. and went to other houses, sometimes returning after 4 a.m.
“Monica agreed to work for the Region V Task Force and work her charges off,” Valdez wrote. “Though she started off good she has failed to complete her tasks that she was given. Monica has given good information in the past to me but failed miserably this time.”
According to court and jail records, Bradley initially was ordered held without bond after she was booked July 20 into the Quay County Detention Center. She was released on her own recognizance July 23.
Michael Aragon was listed as a public defender to represent her. He could not be reached for comment.