Adrian Hedden

Artesia Daily Press

A deputy with the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office was arrested for drunken driving near the intersection of South Canal and Bronson Streets.

Simranjit Khurana, 31, was pulled over and arrested by another deputy, Cayden Bird, at about 2 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, according to court records.

Khurana refused to take a field sobriety test and was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated and failure to maintain traffic lanes – both petty misdemeanors. He was arraigned Oct. 27 before Carlsbad Magistrate Judge Kelly Callicoat and as of Wednesday was awaiting scheduling for a subsequent hearing.

Khurana was first hired at the sheriff’s office in 2018 and was commended by the Eddy County Commission in 2023 for five years of service. At the time of his arrest, Khurana was ranked as a sergeant.

Eddy County Lt. Kane Wyatt said that at the time of the arrest Khurana was on administrative leave due to an investigation into unrelated policy violations. Wyatt declined to comment on the alleged violations.

Wyatt said Khurana has resigned from the Sherriff’s Office since his arrest.

What follows is a compressed version of the events leading up to the arrest, according to a criminal complaint filed by Bird.

Bird first observed Khurana at about 2 a.m. driving a white GMC pickup truck on Church Street “at a high rate of speed” and swerving over the center line repeatedly, the complaint read.

The truck was observed nearly hitting the median several times near the intersection at Stevens Street and was clocked traveling 45 miles per hour, despite a speed limit of 25 miles per hour in that area.

Khurana was pulled over by Bird at the corner of Church and Bronson streets, and Bird said he smelled a “strong odor” of alcohol upon approaching the truck.

Khurana told the deputy he had just been at a party at Cal’s Shade Western, a bar on South Canal Street in Carlsbad, and admitted to having three or four drinks at the party, according to the complaint which said Khurana declined to take a breathalyzer test before failing other field sobriety tests.

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press

Mark Rommel was shot and killed on Oct. 12, 2023, and a lawsuit filed by his mother blames the Artesia Police Department and Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, alleging the law enforcement agencies failed to protect the life of her son.

Rommel’s mother, Linda Dobbins, filed the suit on Oct. 10, 2025, listing the sheriff’s office and police department as defendants.

The case was assigned to District Judge Lisa Riley, with multiple summonses served to Eddy County, the city of Artesia, Eddy County Sheriff Matt Hutchinson and Artesia Police Chief Kirk Roberts.

The suit demands damages for Rommel’s death, the amount to be determined at trial.

Artesia police Cmdr. Pete Quinones said the department received the complaint and would submit information on the case to the New Mexico Insurers Fund, which would assign an attorney to represent the police.

Shooting leads to murder conviction

Acadio Lucero, 24, was sentenced to life in prison in June for murdering Rommel, 42, on Oct. 12, 2023, in the parking lot of the Artesia Public Safety Complex after an argument erupted when Rommel went there to drop off his infant daughter with her mother.

The complex houses the city police and fire departments. It also serves as a location for “custody exchanges” when estranged couples pick up their children from one another.

Lucero was charged with first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Rommel and found guilty after a four-day jury trial held in Fifth Judicial District Court in Carlsbad. District Judge David Finger handed down the mandatory life sentence, which means Lucero won’t be eligible for parole for 30 years.

The events leading up to the shooting that day at the public safety complex formed the basis of the lawsuit, which argues that law enforcement present at the scene failed to protect Rommel and both the police department and sheriff’s office were liable for his death.

Rommel went to a designated “safe drop-off zone” on the day of his death after being directed there by police, the lawsuit read. He planned to pick up his infant daughter with her mother Jahnika Guajardo.

The drop-off zone is frequently used for quarrelsome couples exchanging children in an area monitored by law enforcement.

Quinones said the safe exchange zone is typically unmanned. It’s located at the public safety complex, which houses the Artesia Police Department and substations for the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police, allowing for a quicker response than other locations in emergencies, he said.

He said the zone allows couples exchanging children through custody arrangements to feel safe and can also be used for people buying items online. Quinones estimated about one custody exchange a day was made at the zone, including weekends.

“There isn’t an officer there all day long waiting for parents to exchange,” Quinones said. “These zones exist all over the country. They’re not manned. Agencies don’t have the resources to man them 24/7.”

‘Justice served,’ police say

Rommel and Guajardo were sent to the zone by police after an argument began at a nearby medical facility where Rommel had taken the child because she was showing symptoms of what he believed was COVID-19. He and Guajardo argued about Rommel’s care of the girl and what led to her illness.

When Rommel arrived at the public safety complex, he was confronted by the mother and Lucero, her boyfriend, police said. As they continued to argue, Lucero went to his truck and retrieved a handgun.

He opened fire and shot Rommel three times, killing him.

Artesia Police Sgt. Christopher Gallegos witnessed the incident from an open-air walkway on the second floor of the complex and shot Lucero one time from about 40 yards away, Quinones said.

This allowed officers to arrest Lucero, and he was treated for a gunshot wound at a nearby medical facility.

“We’re very confident of what we did that particular day,” Quinones said. “It’s already gone to trial and the subject was found guilty of murder. It was a good outcome on that. Justice was served.”

In her lawsuit, Dobbins argues that the law enforcement agencies failed to properly secure the drop-off area, inadequately monitored the zone and did not have any officers at the scene to supervise the drop off.

“Artesia and Eddy County failed in their duties and responsibilities to make the safe zone for the exchange of possession of minor children actually ‘safe’ resulting in the deprivation of life, liberty and immunities secured by the Bill of Rights under the New Mexico Constitution and injuries, pain and suffering and the loss of life of Mark (Rommel),” the suit read.

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

Oct. 15

Arrest

Daniel Meeks sentenced inmate

Karsten Lee Williams arrested for Municipal failure to appear.

INCORRIGIBLE

5:57 am – Officer dispatched to 1600 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to an incorrigible child.

BURGLARY

10:57 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to auto burglary.

RECKLESS

12:24 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of S. 9th St. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

SUICIDAL

2:18 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Merchant Ave. in reference to a suicidal subject.

INCORRIGIBLE

4:37 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. James Ave. in reference to an incorrigible child.

ACCIDENT

5:16 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Richey Ave. and N. 1st St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WELFARE

5:29 pm- Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Runyan Ave. in reference to mental welfare.

ACCIDENT

6:06 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 10th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

ARMED

10:03 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W.  Lolita Ave. in reference to an armed subject.

SUSPICIOUS

10:21 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to suspicious activity.

SUICIDAL

10:45 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 N. 12th St. in reference to a suicidal subject.

Oct 16

SUSPICIOUS

12:47 am – Officer dispatched to 2700 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

2:05 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of S. Heath St. in reference to a suspicious ACTIVITY.

BATTERY

5:45 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to battery.

WELFARE

8:23 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. 1st St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DOEMSTIC

1:21 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Hank Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

3:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of N. 13th Rural St. in reference to domestic.

DISTURBANCE

4:14 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to disturbance.

HARASSMENT

5:48 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Main St. in reference to harassment.

LARCENY

5:54 pm- Officer dispatched to 1300 block of N. 1st St. in reference to larceny.

INCORRIGIBLE

6:31 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to a incorrigible child.

SUSPICIOUS

11:43 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Runyan Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

Oct. 17

Arrest

Alex Ronny Samora Jr. arrested for aggravated battery vs household member other deadly weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia.

WELFARE

1:03 am- Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

LARCENY

10:45 am – Officer dispatched to S. 13th St. and W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to larceny.

SUICIDAL

2:45 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Chisum Ave. in reference to a suicidal subject.t

SUSPICIOUS

3:20 pm – Officer dispatched to E. Main St. and N. 1st St. in reference to a suspicious person.

WELFARE

4:26 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Richey Ave. and N. 13th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

RECKLESS

4:55 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Logan Ave. and N. Roselawn Ave in reference to a reckless vehicle.

SUSPICIOUS

5:50 pm – Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Richardson Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

ACCIDENT

6:00 pm- Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 13th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

DOMESTIC

6:37 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Hank Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

WANTED

6:55 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to a wanted subject.

DISTURBANCE

7:26 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of S. 1st St. in reference to disorderly disturbance.

SUSPICIOUS

9:58 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 13th St. and W. Dallas Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

INCORRIGIBLE

10:36 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of W. Texas Ave. in reference to a incorrigible child.

DOMESTIC

10:46 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of W. Alvarado Ave. in reference to domestic.

Oct. 18

Arrest

Brandon Kyle Olguin arrested for aggravated battery on household member other deadly weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia.

WELFARE

3:28 am – Officer dispatched to 2200 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

VANDAL

8:13 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 4th St. in reference to vandal.

10:10 am- Officer dispatched to 3900 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to vandal.

WANTED

3:35 pm- Officer dispatched to N. Roselawn Ave. and W. Cleveland Ave. in reference to a wanted subject.

ACCIDENT

5:15 pm – Officer dispatched to 1700 block of S. 26th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WELFARE

5:18 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. and E. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

6:08 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. Yates St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

UNWANTED

6:08 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Currier St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

ACCIDENT

7:53 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of N. 1st St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

FRAUD

8:37 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Main St. in reference to fraud.

UNWANTED

9:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 8th St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

DOMESTIC

10:54 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to domestic.

Oct. 19

Arrest

London Cameron Camacho arrested for aggravated DWI of intoxicating liquor or drugs. Proof of insurance required.

DWI

12:09 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to DWI

WELFARE

12:27 am – Officer dispatched to 2600 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ACCIDENT

10:11 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

THREATS

10:52 am – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Main St. in reference to threats.

DOMESTIC

11:29 am – Officer dispatched to S. 27th St. and W. Grand Ave. in reference to threats.

DISTURBANCE

11:45 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to disturbance.

SUSPICIOUS

12:00 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Richey Ave. and N. 13th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

1:10 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

WELFARE

12:37 pm – Officer dispatched to the 1900 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

INCORRIGIBLE

1:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to an incorrigible child.

RECKLESS

4:41 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Washington Ave. and S. 9th St. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

5:01 pm – Officer dispatched to N. Haldeman Rd. and Lovington Hwy in reference to a reckless vehicle.

WELFARE

6:01 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 9th St. and W. Washington Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DOMESTIC

8:10 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to domestic.

LOUD

8:58 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to loud music.

SUSPICIOUS

9:19 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Ray Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

BATTERY

9:34 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to battery.

Oct. 20

Arrest

Estevan A. Munoz arrested for aggravated battery on household member inflicting injury.

Rodeny Matthew Almanza arrested for unlawful use of license driving when privilege to do so has been suspended or revoked.

WELFARE

6:22 am – Officer dispatched to 200 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

7:31 am – Officer dispatched to 2000 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

LARCENY

8:14 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 1st St. in reference to larceny.

SUSPICIOUS

9:13 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of N. 4th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

SUICIDAL

9:27 am – Officer dispatched to 200 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a suicidal attempt.

FRAUD

9:45 am- Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Main St. in reference to  fraud.

GRAFFITI

11:24 am – Officer dispatched to N. 8th St. and W. JJ Clarke Dr. in reference to graffiti.

ALARM

12:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to a burglary alarm.

ACCIDENT

12:48 pm – Officer dispatched to 1700 block of W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

12:51 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

HARASSMENT

1:29 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to harassment.

2:25 pm – Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to harassment.

ACCIDENT

3:07 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 13th St. and W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

SUSPICIOUS

3:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of N. 6th St. in reference to suspicious activity.

WELFARE

6:08 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 10th St. and W. Hank Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

THREATS

7:31 pm – Officer dispatched to 2100 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to threats.

DISTURBANCE

10:20pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of W. Cleveland Ave. in reference to disturbance.

WANTED

10:40 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 13th St. in reference to a wanted subject.

Oct. 21

Arrest

Steven Ray Engle arrested for criminal trespass.

Jacob E Salas arrested for battery against a household member.

Francisco Portillo arrested for disorderly conduct.

Ethan Nicholas Velo arrested for aggravated battery on household member inflicting great harm.

Danny Duarte Cobos arrested for possession of a fire arm by a felon, battery against a household member and battery.

SUSPICIOUS

12:16 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

WELFARE

12:20 am – Officer dispatched to 2600 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

6:37 am – Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. and E. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

WANTED

3:29 am – Officer dispatched to N. 3rd St. and W. Main St. in reference to a wanted subject.

DOMESTIC

7:17 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to physical domestic.

ACCIDENT

11:03 am – Officer dispatched to 2600 block of W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

GRAFFITI

11:22 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Hank Ave. in reference to graffiti.

UNWANTED

12:03 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of S. 1st St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

LARCENY

12:03 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Hank Ave. in reference to larceny.

BATTERY

1:05 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to battery.

ACCIDENT

3:16 pm – Officer dispatched to N. Roselawn Ave. and W. Gage Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WANTED

7:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to a wanted subject.

ACCIDENT

7:57 pm – Officer dispatched to n. 13th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

DISTRUBANCE

8:15 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 13th St.  and W. Main St. in reference to disturbance.

HARASSMENT

8:54 pm – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Mann Ave. in reference to harassment.

WELFARE

9:38 pm – Officer dispatched to 1600 block of W. Jacobs Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

DOMESTIC

10:15 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of Cannon Pl. in reference to physical domestic.

DISTURBANCE

11:00 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to disorderly disturbance.

SUSPICIOUS

11:11 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.