Three charged with felonies in fight with juveniles

Three Tucumcari residents were charged with multiple felony counts after they were accused of being involved in a fight with several juveniles near the high school, including one boy hospitalized for his injuries. One of the suspect was accused of possessing a gun.

Billy Baca Jr., 19, was charged with three counts of child abuse, aggravated battery (great bodily harm), bribery of a witness, conspiracy to commit child abuse, conspiracy to commit aggravated battery, conspiracy to bribe a witness, two counts of battery and criminal trespassing.

The child-abuse counts are third-degree felonies that can lead up to three years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. Five other counts are fourth-degree felonies that can lead up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Isaiah Rodriguez, 27, was charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse (no death or great bodily harm), conspiracy to commit aggravated battery (great bodily harm) and conspiracy to bribe a witness.

Michelle Sanchez, 44, was charged with conspiracy to commit child abuse (no death or great bodily harm) conspiracy to commit aggravated battery (great bodily harm) and conspiracy to bribe a witness.

All of Rodriguez’s and Sanchez’s charges are fourth-degree felonies.

According to a report filed by Tucumcari Police Cpl. Matthew Lopez, he and other officers were sent on Jan. 20 to Seventh Street and Gamble Avenue near the high school’s auditorium to investigate a fight between several adults and a group of juveniles.

One teen boy said he and three other juveniles were walking from a park near the Quay Apartments when Baca drove up in his car along with his mother, Sanchez, and began yelling obscenities at them.

According to the report, Baca became angry and tried to punch one of the juveniles.

Two juveniles tried to break up the fight, and Baca struck one with his fist several times. The boy was taken to the emergency room at Trigg Memorial Hospital for treatment of facial injuries.

Three of the juveniles told police they heard Baca trying to bribe one of them with money to not report anything to police or school personnel.

Dean of students Wayne Ferguson told police that Baca had been cited by New Mexico State Police for trespassing on school property on Dec. 8.

According to court documents, Rodriguez, described as Sanchez’s boyfriend, assaulted or struck at three of the juveniles with a Glock handgun. One of the boys said Rodriguez lifted his shirt, showing a firearm in his waistband.

Magistrate Judge Noreen Hendrickson approved arrest warrants for the three adult suspects.

Baca and Sanchez were released on conditions that included no contact with minor children and for her not to be near any school.

Baca also is forbidden from possessing any firearms.

Public defender Anna Aragon was listed as Baca’s attorney.

Public defender Erin Sumrall Van Soelen was listed as Sanchez’s attorney.

No attorney was listed for Rodriguez; he was scheduled to make his first appearance in court on Monday.