Candidate for city commissioner arrested

A candidate for Tucumcari City Commission was arrested and jailed Thursday on a battery charge less than 10 days after filing for the office.

Tommy Snapp, 52, was booked Thursday afternoon into the Quay County Detention Center after being arrested on a warrant for a misdemeanor battery charge, according to jail records and online court documents.

Snapp was scheduled to be arraigned in magistrate court on Friday afternoon.

According to court documents, a Tucumcari police officer was requested Wednesday morning to investigate a civil dispute.

Robert Moore said he owns a building in the 1000 block of East Main Street that Snapp rents for his 4 Corners Bait, Tackle & Sporting Goods shop. Moore told the officer that Snapp had not been paying rent and went to the business that morning to serve an eviction notice.

Moore said he advised Snapp in his office of the eviction.

“Tommy became angry and started to scream at Robert telling him to leave,” the criminal complaint states. “Tommy threw his soda at Robert and spat in his face. Tommy shoved Robert out of the building.”

The officer noted Moore’s face still was sticky from the soda. Moore said the soda cup showed it came from a Circle K convenience store.

The officer went to the bait shop to talk to Snapp. He admitted he had an argument with Moore about the business arrangement and property rights.

“I went to Tommy’s office and there was a spilled Polar Pop cup on the floor with dark cola around it. I asked Tommy how it got there, and he said he threw it at Robert,” the complaint states.

The officer said he reviewed surveillance camera footage at the office, which showed Snapp shouting at Moore and throwing his drink at him.

Magistrate Judge Noreen Hendrickson issued an arrest warrant for Snapp on Thursday after reviewing the officer’s affidavit on the case.

Misdemeanors carry potential jail time of six months up to a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.

Snapp was the first in line on candidate filing day Aug. 29 to submit his paperwork to run for District 1 against incumbent city commissioner and Mayor Ralph Moya, who is running for re-election.

Jerry Lopez and Maria Carmen Gonzales also filed to run for the seat. District 1 encompasses much of the city’s north side.

Snapp cannot withdraw his name from the Nov. 7 election ballot. The deadline to withdraw his candidacy was Sept. 5, County Clerk Ellen White said.

Snapp also made unsuccessful runs in recent years for city commission and municipal judge.