Charges dropped against city officer

A Tucumcari police officer arrested for domestic violence-related counts in January saw his charges dismissed last week on the request of the prosecutor.

Quentin Ray, the 9th Judicial District Attorney in Clovis-Portales who was assigned to prosecute the case, filed a notice of dismissal on Friday regarding charges against Matthew Lopez.

Ray stated the case was dismissed for cause “in the best interest of justice.”

The charges against Lopez were dismissed without prejudice, which means they cannot be refiled.

Ray stated in an email Monday he requested dismissal of the case “based on the underlying facts of the case, victim input and the Defendant’s participation in treatment.”

Roger Bargas, Lopez’s attorney, stated in an email Monday: “The victim provided additional statements to myself, the district attorney and outside investigators brought in by the Tucumcari Police Department that clarified some ambiguities in her first statement and she made it clear that she did not feel the charges should be prosecuted.”

Tucumcari Police Chief Patti Lopez (no relation) said Saturday that he would return to the force but declined to say exactly when, citing personnel matters.

Lopez was placed on administrative leave after he was charged.

Lopez, 24, was arrested and briefly jailed on charges involving a former girlfriend. He was detained on a warrant of misdemeanor counts of battery against a household member, interference with communications and criminal trespass.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, Devanie Martinez told a Quay County sheriff’s deputy that Lopez barged through the front door of her home, yelled obscenities, grabbed her by the arms — causing bruises on both biceps — and pushed her. Children were in the home at the time.

She also said Lopez also took her cellphone and said she wouldn’t call anyone. She eventually retrieved her phone.

About the same time Lopez was charged, Martinez filed a petition for an order for protection against Lopez, citing domestic abuse. Now-retired District Judge Albert Mitchell Jr. issued a temporary protection order.

In recent weeks, Martinez filed new motions, requesting the order be terminated.

“I am not in fear of him and I just want this to be dropped against him,” she wrote.

Lopez has been on the city police force since 2019. He is the son of District 1 city commissioner Jerry Lopez.