Fabian Nez
Nov. 13, 4:20 pm
DWI
A call came into Metro Dispatch of a suspected drunk driver near the Maverik station at 505 U.S. Hwy. 491, which led Gallup Officer Justin Benally to the scene. Benally saw a black Nissan Sentra with a matching license plate pick up another passenger and travel north. He followed the car, pulled it over near the Speedway station at 701 U.S. Hwy. 491 and conducted a traffic stop.
The driver, Fabian Nez, 23, of Window Rock, Ariz., got out and walked toward the store. Benally approached and asked what he was doing. Nez said he was hungry. Benally noted signs of intoxication as Nez spoke, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a smell of alcohol.
Nez denied consuming alcohol and agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests. He performed poorly on the tests and was placed under arrest.
The report stated Nez agreed to give a breath sample, but no result was recorded. The list of charges against him included DWI, no license or financial documents, having an open container in a vehicle, and an arrest order from the McKinley County Magistrate Court.
Nez was released on his own recognizance by Judge Janelle Griego.
Corey Vandever
Nov. 13, 2:08 pm
Aggravated DWI
A white Hyundai Ascent was seen leaving Fire Rock Casino and reported to Metro Dispatch as possibly being driven by a drunk driver. After receiving the advisory, Gallup Officer Joe Roanhorse traveled towards the scene to locate the vehicle.
Roanhorse eventually passed a vehicle matching the description of the call on Highway 66 and turned to follow it. The suspect vehicle pulled into the lot of Blake’s Lotaburger at 2666 E. Hwy. 66, where Roanhorse followed and conducted a traffic stop.
He met the driver, Corey Vandever, 28, of Church Rock, N.M., who told him he was traveling from his sister’s address near Mariano Lake. Roanhorse noted signs of intoxication from Vandever as he spoke, including a flushed face, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech.
Vandever said he did not consume any alcohol and was unable to produce his driver’s license. He agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests after initially hesitating. However, he performed so poorly that Roanhorse made him stop the test and placed him under arrest.
A search of the vehicle turned up two empty 12 oz. cans of Coors Light in the front seat. Metro Dispatch advised Roanhorse that Vandever’s license had been suspended.
Since he stated he had diabetes, Vandever was taken to Gallup Indian Medical Center for clearance, but they were unable to grant clearance due to a shortage of the proper medication. The report stated Vandever was released and would be later summonsed to McKinley County Magistrate Court for aggravated DWI, an invalid license, and an open container in a vehicle.
Kevin Chatto
Nov. 12, 3:09 pm
Aggravated DWI
Numerous calls came into Metro Dispatch of a white Chevy pickup being driven recklessly and an attempt-to-locate was issued.
Gallup Sgt. Matthew Graham was traveling eastbound on Aztec Avenue when he was advised the suspect vehicle was passing a nearby restaurant near the intersection of Aztec Avenue and Arnold Street. The pickup truck almost collided with another vehicle at the intersection, before turning onto Aztec Avenue and then merging onto Highway 602.
Graham pulled the truck over near Highway 602 and Park Avenue and conducted a traffic stop. He met the driver, Kevin Chatto, 49, of Pinehill, who exited his vehicle and approached Graham as though preparing to attack. Chatto was placed in handcuffs.
Officer Clarissa Morgan arrived on scene and met with Chatto, observing signs of intoxication including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and a smell of alcohol. Chatto had refused to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests and was unable to keep his balance without assistance from the officers.
Chatto was placed under arrest and refused to give a breath sample. The charges on the report included aggravated DWI, driving on divided streets, failure to stop or yield, and assault on a peace officer.
Chatto was released on his own recognizance by Judge Janelle Griego.
Laurie Livingston
Nov. 9, 1:52 pm
Aggravated DWI
Gallup Officer Joe Roanhorse was patrolling Aztec Avenue approaching the intersection to Marguerite Street when a black Chevrolet Trax abruptly pulled out of the parking lot right in front of him, causing him to swerve into the median to avoid impact.
The driver of the SUV rolled down the window and apologized. Roanhorse was able to see the driver had a slight redness in her eyes and her speech sounded slurred. He pulled around the Trax and pulled it over to conduct a traffic stop.
He met driver, Laurie Livingston, 41, of Church Rock, N.M., who stated she had picked up two passengers at the Shop ‘n Save store at 205 Marguerite St. Roanhorse noted more signs of intoxication including a smell of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle.
Livingston said she had a “shot” about 11 that morning and agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests. Roanhorse saw an open half-empty bottle of liquor in the door console as she got out of the SUV.
After complaining of an injury during the tests, Roanhorse administered alternative tests, on which Livingston also performed poorly. She was placed under arrest and agreed to give a breath sample.
Roanhorse transported Livingston to Gallup Police Department for the breath test, where she posted samples of .30 and .28. Metro Dispatch advised that Livingston had two prior DUIs.
Livingston was taken to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for aggravated DWI and having an open container in a vehicle.
Livingston was released on her own recognizance by Judge Cynthia Sanders.
Dominic Desiderio
Nov. 8, 11:00 am
Aggravated DWI
A white Kia SUV nearly collided with several vehicles near the intersection of First and Coal Streets. After calls came into Metro Dispatch that the driver may have been asleep at the wheel, Gallup Police Officers were dispatched to the scene to conduct a welfare check.
Gallup Sgt. Matthew Graham arrived at the site first and found the vehicle parked over 18 inches from the curb on First Street. The driver was passed out and the vehicle was still running. The driver, identified as Dominic Desiderio, 36, of Gallup, began to wake up after Graham turned the vehicle off.
Officer Clarissa Morgan arrived at the scene and met with Desiderio, who had to be helped out of his vehicle and initially had difficulty keeping his balance. Desiderio answered Morgan’s questions. The officer noted signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and a smell of alcohol.
Desiderio agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests, but became disorderly and refused to continue as Morgan explained the tests to him. Desiderio continued to state he did nothing wrong as the New Mexico Implied Consent Advisory was read to him, and Morgan took his words and actions as a refusal to submit to a breath test.
A search of the vehicle showed five unopened pints of Importers Vodka inside. A witness at the scene corroborated the reports that Desiderio was driving recklessly from Third Street onto Coal Street, hitting a curb and nearly hitting vehicles in oncoming traffic.
Based on the reports and his actions at the scene, Morgan placed Desiderio under arrest. He was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for aggravated DWI.
Desiderio was released on his own recognizance by Judge Cynthia Sanders.
