Candidate for city commission arrested

A candidate for Tucumcari City Commission was arrested and jailed Thursday on a battery charge less than 10 days after officially running for election.

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

Snapp was arraigned in magistrate court on Friday and released that afternoon, according to court and jail records. A pretrial hearing is set for Oct. 4.

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

Robert Moore told the officer 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 said Snapp had not been paying rent, and he went to the business that morning to serve Snapp 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 a design on the side of the soda cup indicated it came from a Circle K convenience store.

The officer went to the shop to talk to Snapp, who admitted he argued with Moore about his business arrangement with Moore 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 officer's report states.

The officer stated 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 after reviewing the officer's affidavit on the case.

Battery, a petty misdemeanor, carries a potential jail time of up to six months and up to a $500 fine.

In a Facebook post Saturday morning, Snapp said he would fight the charge in court.

Snapp admitted to having an argument with Moore, but "never did I lay my hand on him or hit him with any objects."

"Tucumcari, I am willing to fight tooth and nail for my livelihood, this is the same passion I will bring as your next city commissioner," he wrote.

Erin Sumrall Van Soelen of Clovis was listed as Snapp's attorney.

Snapp was the first in line on candidate filing day Aug. 29 to submit his paperwork to run for District 1 against incumbent 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.

Even if he wanted to, Snapp cannot remove 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.