Two New Mexico Most Wanted Gang Members Arrested

Albuquerque, NM - On July 19, 2011 Officers with the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force arrested Santos Ochoa and Marshals Service Deputies and Detectives from the Roswell Police Department arrested Tino Rodriguez. Both Rodriguez and Ochoa were on the United States Marshals Service’s “New Mexico’s Most Wanted’ as Gang affiliated Fugitives. Ochoa has been a fugitive from justice since May after his probation was revoked for allegedly stabbing a person in Artesia, NM and Rodriguez was wanted by New Mexico Probation and Parole since September of 2010.

Rodriguez was on parole for two counts of armed robbery and was wanted for a violation of his terms of parole. Deputies with the Marshals Service in Albuquerque and Roswell worked with Detectives from the Roswell Police Department and located him at a residence in Roswell where he was arrested.

Ochoa has a lengthy and violent criminal history including battery on a police officer, felon in possession of a firearm, distribution of methamphetamine and burglary. Marshals Service Investigators worked closely with Pecos Valley Drug Task Force Officers and located Ochoa in Carlsbad. When Task Force Officers encountered Ochoa he ran from them, but after a brief foot chase Ochoa was arrested. During Ochoa’s arrest he was found in possession of a large amount of cash and a search of his vehicle resulted in the seizure of two ounces of Methamphetamine.

United States Marshal Conrad Candelaria commented ” The District of New Mexico’s Most Wanted program continues to exemplify the extraordinary successes that can come about from effective enforcement initiatives between the Marshals Service and our local, county, state, federal and tribal law enforcement partners; these most recent arrests is a testament on how important this program is so that our many communities within the State of New Mexico can continue to be a safe place for all of our citizens.”