Nobody Does it Like Las Cruces
Mike Smith
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You know, Northern New Mexico gets all the glory. Home to cities like Santa Fe and Taos, it has something of a reputation for innovative thought and bohemian worldviews. And, sure, there are plenty of artists, musicians, writers, and other creative types who call the northern end of the state their home. But there’s more to the cultural landscape of New Mexico than a bunch of hippies and art dealers. I feel it’s high time that we recognized the myriad accomplishments and stunning creativity of another area in the state.
Specifically, I’m referring to the ingenuity with which many inhabitants of Las Cruces and surrounding Doña Ana County have managed to assault, kill, and otherwise terrorize one another. Because there’s simply so much material to work with, I’ll confine myself to a few incidents that have taken place throughout this past month, as reported in the Las Cruces Sun-News.
Don’t get me wrong--not everyone aspires to greatness. For many, attacking or killing is a pedestrian act, no more deserving of exertion than any other daily routine. That appears to be the case for someone like Robert O. Soto, who’s been indicted for doing nothing more interesting than allegedly causing the death of a motorcyclist with his SUV while drunk. I can’t even give him credit for managing to commit this outrage on his very first attempt at drunk driving, since he was convicted of another DWI in 2000.
Similarly, I’ll admit that I am none too impressed by the gang violence that allegedly led Enrique Gumoro Vega a.k.a. Gomero Vega of Anthony, NM, to hospitalize three men with a handgun. We hear about rival gangs tearing up their neighborhoods every day, so where’s that special something, that spark that makes this crime stand out from all the rest? At least the residents of the mobile home where the shooting occurred were treated to a nearly four-hour SWAT standoff. (I bet that was neat.) And since Vega is still at large, the excitement level has some potential. And if you happen to know where he is, you can participate in the fun by calling 575-525-1911 or 575-526-0795.
However, other stories show a more inspired criminal element. For example, if you’re going to ruin your life with a DWI, there’s simply no credible artistic way to do it that doesn’t involve an epic journey and extensive damage, as one man knows well:
According to DASO investigators, James Naylor, 36, of the 960 Block of Aloe Vera, allegedly lost control of his vehicle, a 1998 GMC Jimmy SUV, causing it to travel 220 feet down an embankment, over a berm, through some mesquite bushes, crashing into a residence located at 4290 Rocky Acres Trail. Naylor's vehicle sustained extensive damage.
But to really hit this one home, I think we’ll need some senseless endangerment:
At the time of the crash, Naylor had with him as passengers in his vehicle, his children, age 7 and 8.
In a thankful twist ending to this endeavor, the kids didn’t sustain life-threatening injuries. I’d put Naylor in the “amateur” category, but with alleged antics like these, he could well be on his way to bigger things.
In a trend solidifying southern New Mexico’s reputation for independent spirit and innovation, other criminals are choosing to eschew such routine weapons as cars and guns. Instead, they follow their own paths.
Some simply use what’s most readily at hand, in deeply disconcerting ways. One man, not to be deterred by an apparent lack of weapons, not only became “physically abusive” with two police officers, but he allegedly spit into the face into the face of another.
Spitting in a cop’s face. Powerful, a universal symbol, but still visceral and surprising. You know, like art.
And Joel Garcia invoked a pageant of high tragedy in Berino, NM when he swung a pickax at his wife. He missed, embedding the pickax in the wall behind the couch where she’d been sitting. Then he continued his maniacal performance by attempting to hide in a dumpster. When the authorities arrived, he emerged brandishing a barbecue steak fork. Alas, it was not enough to keep police from subduing him.
A story like that has a hardscrabble grittiness to it. Like a folk song.
But the work of a true artist is not just innovation. It’s also illusion. Some people accomplish that in small ways, such as Karissa Bonilla. Her target may have only been the presumably overworked and underpaid manager of a local discount store, but she inspired terror by brandishing a weapon of apparently mysterious and unknowable qualities:
Police said Karissa Bonilla, 18, allegedly used either a knife or screwdriver to threaten the manager of the Dollar General Store, 2300 N. Main St.
According to police, Bonilla became aggressive after the manager and another store employee confronted her about possibly shoplifting.
Not only that, she then “identified herself to police as Teresa Ramirez, police said.” Like many other great artists, Karissa/Teresa can’t seem to be confined to just one identity.
Still, compared to some, she’s small change. Take, for example, this guy:
Philip J. Herron, who lived alone at 5036 Apex Mine Trail, was found dead Friday evening, surrounded by loaded guns and having appeared to overdose on prescription medication, said Doña Ana Sheriff's Office Sgt. Joe Reynaud.
Sure, it’s a little dramatic. But what really makes this story special is that before he offed himself, Herron called his brother in Virginia and claimed that he was going to commit “suicide by cop.” His brother contacted state police, leading to a six-hour SWAT operation and three-hour investigation comprising 50 law enforcement officers from all around the state. But Herron was already dead when they showed up! Whether it was a final grandiose act of performance art, or some other form of artistic commentary, his independence of thought is clear. As Doña Ana Sheriff's Office Sgt. Joe Reynaud said,
suicide by cop is not very common and we don't see it very often in our area.
It seems like the truest artists, the most creative ones, aren’t content to merely beleaguer others. Like Herron, Juan Carlos Rivas turned the sword of vengeance upon himself when he allegedly bashed his own head against the side of his car and poured transmission fluid all over himself. But unlike Herron, his motives weren’t exactly suicidal. Instead, Rivas was attempting to convince his wife and authorities that he’d been kidnapped. Why? He couldn't admit that he’d spent a night out with other women.
Rivas… initially called his wife, in Canutillo, Texas, the morning of July 3 and allegedly told her he had been abducted by three subjects and placed in the trunk of his car. According to El Paso authorities, his wife called 911 and emergency dispatchers then contacted Rivas on his cell phone. He repeated the abduction story to dispatchers.
Later the same day, Rivas appeared disoriented when he was located near San Miguel in Doña Ana County.
Rivas has been charged by authorities in both Doña Ana County and El Paso County, making his artistic range of influence truly impressive.
Obviously, not everyone can aspire to the creative life. Just like everywhere else, the vast majority of people living and working in Doña Ana County are not cutting edge artists or cultural innovators, but just good, honest folks, not willing to take on the challenges of a life of crime. They lead their quiet lives and never end up in the journalistic limelight of the Las Cruces Sun-News. Still, it’s a comfort to know that some select few in the rugged landscape of Doña Ana County are ready and willing to commit to exceptional modes of thought and boundary-pushing actions. Keep your eye on Las Cruces!
—Lisa Barrow
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Reader Comments (4)
Any chances we ever had of being linked to from the Board of Tourism or New Mexico Magazine...were gone long ago. But if they weren't!: they'd certainly be gone now.
Well written, interesting, and not just a little disturbing.
It reminds me a bit, though, of how I felt after hearing Bush's "Bring it on!" speech to the terrorists: "No, no, no, don't bring it on!"
(And I think I might know now why John LeMay tried to call me twice earlier today while I was taking my kids on a nap walk.)
Very nice work, Lisa.