Dog-attack suspect arrested on unrelated case

One of the suspects in a fatal dog-attack case in Tucumcari landed back in jail last week on an unrelated case in Curry County.

Kristopher Jaquarias Morris, 27, of Tucumcari, was booked into the Quay County Detention Center last Monday after Curry County Magistrate Judge Stephen Whittington on Feb. 14 issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

According to online court documents, Morris failed to pay almost $500 in fines related to charges of failing to register a vehicle and failing to secure a transfer of registration.

Morris was transported Wednesday to the Curry County Detention Centers, where he remained in custody. According to jail records, he is due to be released Friday.

Morris and his mother, Mary Montoya, 50, each was charged with involuntary manslaughter and a dangerous dog (death of a person), both felonies, after the Feb. 1 mauling of Stanley Hartt, 64, of Tucumcari by five of their dogs.

Both were released two days after their initial arrests on a $10,000 unsecured appearance bond, which means they must pay that amount if they don’t meet the terms of their release. Among the release terms was they could not own or care for animals.