Earlier this month I aired a report about a state employee accused of funneling out more than half-a-million dollars in tax payer funds from the Children Youth and Families Department. While trying to get the mug shots of the 17+ defendants in this case, I found the Grant County Detention Center didn't have the photos. This was quite surprising because many of the defendants in the case were booked at the jail according to records.
A corrections officer at the jail told me sometimes the jail's officers "get lazy" and don't take photos of people being booked.
Wow.
Well, that's great. A facility responsible for booking people charged with serious crimes is not taking photos of them because of "laziness."
It's comforting to hear the corrections officers at the jail are working hard to keep the public in Silver City and the rest of Grant County safe.
What happens when a former inmate, like a sex offender, needs to be hunted down again? What happens if this sex offender's photo needs to be released to the public?
Don't count on the Grant County Jail to take care of the details, because of their "laziness."
I called and complained to a jail supervisor. He said he would "check into it." By the end of the day I was told the jail's computer system deleted the photos on "accident."
For some reason, I find that excuse very hard to believe.
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jeremyjojola.com
23 comments:
You might want to do a follow-up investigation with the people who were charged with the crime and their "connections" with personnel at the Sheriff's Dept. You may be surprised....or if you know anything about Grant County...you won't be surprised at all. ;-)
u talk that people are lazy...but if u did ur job you would know that one one person was arrest,,,
It's hard to find a photo when those people were not even put in jail.
Actually guys (I'm assuming you're all officers at the jail), Andrea Munoz was booked for her crimes in January and so were several others that I saw according to court records that I reviewed at Grant County District Court. When I called with the birth dates and names of these people, the corrections officer on the phone acknowledged they were "booked" but there were no photos. The corrections officer told me sometimes guards "get lazy" and don't take photos.
Jeremy Jojola
Jeremy: I'm the person that posted on May 28th. I am not a Correctional Officer, although I am a retired Deputy Sheriff from another state. I've lived in Grant County only a couple of years, and in that short time, I am amazed at the amount of nepotism, cover-ups, and scandals that take place in Grant County. The "connections" I alluded to in my original post are real. And it's relatively (pardon the pun) common for the situation you ran into to occur. Local newspapers documented the people arrested and their names. And nobody seemed suprpised when a "deal" was cut with the major offender. I'm sure that deal does NOT include her paying back the over $500,000 that was stolen. Just another day in the ongoing corrpution in Grant County.
In reference to the Grant County Jail -- I'm all for holding jail oficials accountable for doing their jobs, although the real villians in this bigger picture are the Grant County Manager and the Commission members, all of whom have blabbered a good story in the last five plus years about getting a quality Jail Administrator, building a new facility (the current one is too small, not secure and unsafe). Look into the troubled history of this facility -- it's a great news story of incompetance, criminal and negligent behavior, broken promises by politicians and county administrators that has left a wake of dead, hurt and sexually assaulted prisoners, many former jail administrators, high employee turnover/short staffing not to mention the recent takeover by NM Corrections of the facility and it's reversion to being under the Sheriff's Department for a brief period...Oh, did I mention the lawsuits? Grant County Administration (Manager and Commission) are definitely criminally negligent in allowing this situation to develop over a period of years and must be held accountable!!! Who cares? This question is yet to be answered by anyone -- at least in this quiet country backwater. Someone who isn't related to 75% of the gene pool here needs to DO something about this before we have another "Suicide" or sexual assault in that hellhole (for prisoners AND staff!)
To the person who posted on June 12: Thank you for bringing that information forward. There is NO excuse for that type of activity taking place in a jail facility that small. The only possible excuse I can think of (and I'm sure it is SOP for the Sheriff's Dept) is short staffing.
Of course, that's a bad joke. There are so many Sheriff cars running around in Silver City it's not funny. And the Sheriff cars are SUPPOSED to be patrolling OUTSIDE of Silver City. Silver City already has a Police Department that does an excellent job. I wonder if Grant County Correctional Officers are rotated between police and jail duties as is done in other jail locations in the country?
Quite simply, there is so much scandal within Grant County at ALL levels, that the carpet they keep sweeping it under is getting as tall as the Gila Mountain range.
Regarding the June 15 posting... The Sheriff's Department is a seperate entity, no "Rotations" occur. Please consider the following: A County Sheriff's jurisdictional authority encompasses municipalities, although the emphasis is the unincorporated areas of the County. The Sheriff's Department is located in Silver City. Patrol Deputies must drive through the municipality to get into the County, does this mean they should ignore any traffic violations or other situations needing a cop while doing so? Additionally, Sheriff's Civil Division Deputies are constantly serving process and transporting prisoners in and through Silver City (Remember, both Magistrate Courts are located inside municipalities - Silver City and Bayard. The media made much-ado over Santa Clara's recent (Police) Departmental disintegration. Who must assume responsibility for that jurisdiction? The Sheriff. When municipal agencies call for assistance, who must go? Sheriff's Deputies (and to a much lesser extent, NM State Police). Silver City P.D. does a good job, however, they are short staffed and are increasingly asking for County Deputies as "Agency assists" to back up their Officers at "City" calls for service. The recent meltdown at the Jail is yet another example of who gets called to take over operations when necessary -- The Sheriff. Again, look toward Grant County Commissioners and the Manager for ultimate blame and responsibilty. Worry less about County Deputies driving through the municipalities, all law enforcement officers will back each other to protect the public. If I reside in a municipality and call 911 in an emergency, I could care less what uniform that responding Officer wears, they are all coming to help me. That's what matters to me in the end. A great failing in this State is that of public education in such matters. As we grow, learn and evolve, these matters will become publically charged and hopefully the public will demand a far higher standard from elected and appointed officials so that the petty politiking and ostrich-like management style by Commissioners and Managers will not be tolerated!
The Sheriff runs the jail, not the Silver City PD. So any blame for jail conduct or malfeasance rests squarely on his shoulders. On the number of Sheriff's PD cars running around in Silver City... it's obvious to anyone who actully LIVES IN THE CITY, that they are all over the place. And I don't mean just coming and going from the Sheriff's headquarters. Sheriffs Police "poaching" in Silver City is notorious. Don't think they don't have ticket quotas to fill. They do, no matter what they tell you. Lately even State Police have "gotten in on the action". There was one based in the Albertson's lot handing out speeding tickets like there was no tomorrow. State Police are SUPPOSED to be patrolling Interstate highways. County Sheriffs are SUPPOSED to be patrolling unincorporated areas of Grant County. As to the "theory" that Silver City PD are "asking for help", just how bad do you think the crime levels are in Silver City?? The city doesn't even have a population of 10,000 any more. Again...if you LIVED in the city, you'd know that the sirens seem to be going off downtown 24 hors a day. It sounds like the South side of Chicago or East LA. Most visitors to Silver City complain about it and say it sounds like there is a huge crime wave, or people are dieing like flies. Should County and State police ignore traffic infractions?A better question is should they go out of their way to ticket every minor infraction they see just because it is so easy? I don't think so. Certainly, if there is an accident or they spot a stolen car or someone is exceeding the speed limit by 20MPH or more, they should go after them. But handing out BS tickets just because there is "easy pickens" in Silver City should NOT be going on....jurisdiction or not.
Well, as to the July 8th Posting... What can I say, another cop hater. I have never seen such a state of affairs as in this area. Too bad, sour grapes! If you don't like jurisdictional overlay, go somewhere else. Maybe you should scan police radio bands. By the way, State Police have complete jursidictional authority EVERYWHERE within the State of New Mexico, that's why they are not called "Highway Patrol". As to sirens, I agree. That is simply an internal issue which should have been addressed years ago. The number of cops responding to essentially non-life threatening situations with lights-and-siren is ludicrous. Many other states have imposed severe limitations upon this as it endangers other motorists, the Officer and disturbs the quiet in the area. As for the jail, you seem to quickly forget the Sheriff has been ordered to re-assume control of the facility following the County Administration's complete failure to maintain management and staff on more than one occasion (as a seperate County division from the Sheriff's Department whose Administrator reports directly to the County Manager). Too bad you have such a vitreolic attitude based on your own personal bias and false information. You make it sound like the City is flooded with County Officers, simply not true! There aren't enough of them. Averaging three (maybe four) Deputies per shift (based on prior media reporting of their staffing levels), how can that be?
I think the Federal politician who stated "...America has become a Nation of Whiners and Complainers..." has some validity. Let's hope a County or State Police Officer doesn't get the luck of the draw to be sent to help you some day.
Well there have been numerous break-ins and robberies in Silver City the past two months. I'd sure like to see the State or County police doing something about it besides handing out speeding tickets on Route 180. Oh yeah....it's in Silver City, so it's SCPD jurisdiction for this type of crime. Pretty slick the way the County and State departments get to pick and choose what laws and crimes to enforce.
As to being anti-police.....WRONG. I am a retired Deputy Sheriff after 22 years on the job in Illinois. I conmsider the police chief of Silver City to be a good friend of mine. The problem seems to be the willingness of some people to stick their heads in the sand and not recognize the problems that the rest of the residents see every day. Support the police just like you support the troops....but for gosh sakes criticize incompetence at higher levels.
The jail that the Sheriff Department is SUPPOSED to be running is so tiny it's laughable. If the Sheriff can't run the jail, maybe he should stop hiring all his relatives and look for competent help OUTSIDE his family.
Well, 22 years on the job. I guess you have had some rotten experiences in NM. I agree the gene pool in this area is pretty shallow, it's tough to not have relatives in some sense working in the same agency. Remember the county financial meltdown in '98-'99? I really wish that idiot Carbajal had been sent to prison along with the crooked contractor, but instead he was hired as the city manager in Bernalillo and is now in big trouble again for sexual harrassment. These people just don't learn beacuse they keep getting away with it. The entire criminal justice system in this state is compramised - by the state itself.
By the way, if the City has such a fine Detective Division, why aren't these property cases being solved, closed or inactivated with justification?
Just because you were a Cop for many years elsewhere does not necessarily make you a qualified expert in damning our Sheriff's Department. You are still way off beam on them, and your friendship with the Chief may be a possible source of oppostional opinion. There are many honest, intelligent hard working line-staff members of both SCPD and the S.O. who really take it in the shorts for the incompetant actions (or lack thereof) of others in both agencies. We can't throw the baby out with the bathwater. The recent and ongoing saga of the SC-GC Chamber of Commerce is a great example of back room dealings and fragmentation between the "Old guard" and those who feel very differently. I share many of your opinions, but not others. I just hope you realize this when dealing with those honest hard workers I mentioned above who do not deserve the anger directed at them. Remember, we will have elections relatively soon -- use the ballot box to flummox those who need to ousted or replaced with apparently better qualified candidates.
If there are bad cops out there, isn't it the responsibility of the Sheriff to sort them out and fire them? Oh wait...pretty tough to fire someone and then see them on Christmas or at family reunions. Until they can get rid of the nepotism at the Sheriif's Dept, you are going to have more incompetent officers than competent ones. I'm still wondering when I will see an Anglo Sheriff's officer driving a car? Or is it mandatory that all Sheriff Police are hispanic? Hardly representative of the county's population.
From today's Silver City Sun News (9/)
Grant County Detention officers under scrutiny
By Holly Wise Sun-News Bureau Chief
Article Launched: 09/23/2008 01:00:00 AM MDT
SILVER CITY — Grant County Detention officers are under investigation for allegedly allowing inmates to fight with boxing gloves, the Grant County Sheriff's Department reported Monday.
The sheriff was unavailable for comment Monday.
LOL....now there's professionalism at it's best. Yep, I have the highest respect for the Deputies working for the Sheriff. Makes you wonder just WHO should be locked up!!!
The Grant County Jail is old. I know for a fact that the computers they use are from 1995, and therefore are not able to down-load the new software needed for the digital camera's. Yea, you can upgrade the old computers but than you would loose all information that is stored in the old system.
Take a look at the 2 transport vehicles they use. They are old and unreliable. I know that a few times that officers have broken down while o transports. I know that the jail admin. has asked the county manager JOHN SORRY for new vehicles and are always turned down. But, at least the sheriff's dept. gets what they want. People are so quick to judge the detention center and it's staff. But, did you ever think that maybe you need to look a little further into the COUNTY BUILDING. What needs to happen before JOHN SORRY relizes that the jail needs updated equipment, vehicles, and all together a NEW JAIL. When the county gets sued for millions, maybe than JOHN SORRY will open his SORRY eyes.
Just to helpout a few good officers.
Jeremy, you seem to really hold some sort of grudge against the Grant County Jail. Before you go around with what you think is the truth, you really need to make sure you have the whole truth.
The Grant County Jail does have a few problems. But you can't give the entire staff a bad name.
There are officer's who work there that actually care, and love their job. And, with all the publicity surrounding the jail because of the so called inmate fighting ring, a few things need to be said.
It was 5 officers accused of allowing this. And, unlike you Jeremy I went in deeper to find the truth. The 5 officers that were involved are on paid administrative leave. It was not only a shock to the community that this happened, but also to the rest of the jail staff. The rest of the jail staff is very upset. In a few comments from officers and I quote," This incident makes us all look bad. It makes us look like pieces of shit. I hope each and every sinlgle one of them is fired. I hope that this town knows that there are GOOD officers working here."
I also found out that the past Warden Tim O'Niell had asked for a new camera system, due to the fact that the one in the jail isn't reliable and only a few of the cameras actually work, and record the daily events in the jail. This system would of only have cost the county $7000.00. He was told NO. It was the County Manager who denied the Warden his camera system. Jim Foy, the lawsuit attorney for all the inmates who were involved in the fighting ring, is asking for 2.5 million an inmate. (Should of paid the $7000.00)
And to who wrote the September 30th blog at 8:12. Well, your right. I uncovered that the jails computers are from 1995. And, their vehicles are also old and out dated. Have you seen the car the Sheriff's Department gave them? It's a piece of shit. I noticed that the guard was on a transport. I followed then to HMS. When the guard exited the vehicle I asked why they were not wearing there seatbelt, they have to follow the law to. The guard smiled and said, "I know, but it's broken and doesn't stay latched." If the county isn't careful, I'm sure another lawsuit coul be on the way if an officer is ever hurt driving that old beat up sheriffs unit. But, at least the Sheriff's Department gets ALL the NEW, SAFE vehicles.
So Jeremy bet you didn't know all this. Of course you don't, you don't find the truth, you make it up as you go.
I know much more about the Grant County Jail, but I beleive this is enough information for now. But believe me when I say: THEIR ARE GREAT OFFICERS WHO ARE WORKING THERE. It's a shame Jeremy that you try to hurt the reputation of the good ones. If your so good at your job get the names of the 5 bad apples and get it out in public. You like dirt so much, why don't you get a hold of the County Manager. Ask him why the jail is denied new equipment every time they ask for it. For a change do your job and get to the bottom of things.
BRAVO to recent posting naming Grant County Manager John SORRY! He is an idiot. He and the idiot Commissioners are now spending 2 million TAXPAYER dollars to buy a building no one else wants to purchase (Old Wal-Mart) during a financial crisis. These idiots are going to be the death of small business in Grant County. No video system for the Jail, CYFD moves out 17 people from their old County-owned building, the damn District Court needs to GROW, Sheriff's Department is kicked out of Courthouse (County-owned facility) and shoved into the old CYFD building with 40+ employees. Jail continues to be refused adequate funding for anything (but adding lawsuits like so many clothes hangers in your closet is A-OK!). This is like a small version of Washington DC, government out-of-control in need of a giant enema. AWAKEN to this travesty! Boot your incompetant, inbred and corrupt public officials NOW! We have been fattened for slaughter long enough. Start locally, then work on toward Santa Fe and Washington, DC. A good start would be with John (SORRY) Sarii and the Commission. You are aware he was a John Counts/WNMU man, look at their labor and lawsuit record!Take note and example of the current movement to boot the ENTIRE Silver City-Grant County Visitor's Center/Chamber Board, they have pulled some really rotten crap and deserve all they get. Beware Grant County Officials -- YOU could be next in the "People's Spotlight", remember, when the populace gets angry, public officials better shape up or ship out!
Kudos to the Honest, hard-working County Employees who must live under this umbrella of incompetant, inbred effluent of administration & management. If only the employees could come forward and speak directly to the people of Grant County. It would be Geraldo or Jerry Springer material.
Jeremy Jojola: Why don't you come down here and look into some of this nonsense.
Where the Hell is the State of New Mexico when it comes to monitoring of local government? Oh, I forgot, the "Kingfish" Bill Richardson is too concerned about his new plane, his taxpayer funded failed presidential campaign, his back-breaking small business-funded health care plan to extend the welfare state we already have, his political fealty with appointed judges, board members, legislators, hacks and any/all who have money, power or some other influence he seeks to manipulate in his fiefdom. The state fails miserably in it's mandated role as an overseer of local government and equally in it's role as a regulatory law enforcer. Santa Clara (incorporated Grant County Village) is a great example of dirty rotten dealing. Say, how long before the Sheriff and State Police get tired of being the Santa Clara Police Department while the Chief travels the country and collects salary and benefits?
Kudos to a few Town of Silver City Councillors who are vehemently opposed to installing cameras to spy on people in the downtown area. Say, maybe they would pay for the new jail video system, to watch those incarcerated for a REASON rather than tourists (what few there are) enjoying the historic district.
Don't blame the politicians or public officials, blame ourselves for electing, re-electing them and failing to become true citizens and act on all the responsibilities that go with the title. Next cycle, Grant County voters will have the opportunity to elect a new Sheriff, Magistrate Judge, Commissioner(s) and more. By the way, isn't it finally time to go to a five member Commission to do away with the three member "Club"? We will see.
WOW, I'm almost embarrased to say I am from this neck of the woods! I also can't believe that I went to school with three of the 5 jailers who are being charged with 8 counts of kidnapping and 4 counts of conspiracy for the boxing incidents. Want my HONEST opinion. I hope you all rot in jail for the BS you have caused. You were given this job to protect the residents of all of Grant County. Now guess what you all get to spend the remainder of your lives with these people you forced to box, then couldn't explain their bruises, then handed out cash to each other for what a dinner at the Grinder??? As for one of the Jailers, I graduated from HS with this individual and it doesn't surprise one bit that they would be caught up in this sort of incident. I never like this person and WOW my instincts were right. I so truly hope these people are held accountable for their actions, and I'm not talking about the payout on the charges, I hope you have to spend your "payout" in JAIL! It is sad that Silver City has such a bad name because of the idiot gene pool that seems to be running the area. I am truly glad that I moved out of that area when I got the chance. My heart goes out to the children of these morons who now have to say, my parent is in prison because they hurt the people they were sworn to protect!
Well, we need to re-take control over this mess -- The whole mess which starts with the corrupt elected officials who have been neglect in their duties. Let's start with his majesty Henry Torres. He stands to collect a huge chunk of change in a real estate commission from the sale of the old Wal-Mart building to Grant County to be our new "Convention Center (buy it and they will come???). Where does this nonsense end? the jail is no more than a shadowy reflection of a rotten county political structure. Since when is not a conflict of interest for Torres to sell that useless building to the taxpayers at such an economic time? I think he needs to be investigated and charged by the Feds and sent to one of their "Private clubs" for criminals.
Maybew an update is in order for our wonderful employees working at the Grant County jail...
Grant County Detention officers allegedly involved in fight Friday
Sun News Report
Posted: 02/26/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
SILVER CITY Two Grant County Detention officers were involved in a fight Friday that left one individual with stab wounds and others with multiple lacerations and bruises, the police reported.
Silver City Police Chief Ed Reynolds said officers responded to a fight call at the recreation center on Silver Street at 10:30 p.m. Friday.
According to the police report, two groups of individuals met at the center to fight after an argument had occurred previously in the evening. There were approximately three to four individuals in each group, according to police.
One person reportedly had a crow bar and there were two knives involved. One individual was stabbed in the arm, said Reynolds.
The offenders fled the scene prior to the officer's arrival.
One of the correctional officers allegedly involved in the fight is 22; the age of the other was unknown. Police declined to identify the officers because charges have not been filed.
The investigation is continuing by the Silver City Police Department and charges are pending.
seems that Grant County IS the potato producing leader of the world - and the Sheriff's are potato heads - except for the one that thinks he is a blonde version of "Sonic the Hedgehog" - just a shame that they can not find real jobs - seems they can do very little about drive-by shootings, but damned if they aren't proud when they catch a speeder doing 10 over on a road that has not one resident -
$500,000 was given to each inmate to settle the claims of boxing. Who is going to pay this? The taxpayers? I think detention center officers involved ought to pay restitution. Why the hell are we going to give criminals a half million dollars? What are they going to do with it that isn't going to put them back in jail?
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