The first week of Operation Not in Vain 2025 proved successful with 37 felony arrests, 36 misdemeanor arrests, three stolen vehicles recovered and the seizure of 2.4 grams of methamphetamine.
“Our multi-agency team has hit the ground running and is seeing great success,” said Las Cruces Police Department Chief Jeremy Story. “This project goes well beyond the typical calls our officers respond to during their regular shifts, and the collaboration and commitment shown by everyone involved has been outstanding.”
The operation, which began April 28, included the May 1 surround and callout at a home that resulted in the apprehension of 10 individuals with active warrants. One of the men taken into custody at the home, on the 1900 block of Lyon Place, was 29-year-old George David Lessard who had four active felony warrants.
Lessard – one of 15 individuals located in the home – was wanted for two counts of larceny, non-residential burglary, residential burglary, breaking and entering, tampering with evidence, criminal damage to property, unlawful taking a motor vehicle, receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle and conspiracy.
Besides Lessard, five men and four women were also located at the Lyon Place home and arrested on warrants. The nine arrested were Hector E. Gonzalez, 53; David Joseph Padilla, 39; Micheala B. McBurrows, 30; Victor Rodriguez-Najera, 27; Terry William Bittle, 44; Desarae M. Ramirez, 33; Jessica Ramirez, 31; Destiny Monique Lopez, 31; and Nicholas James Sauceda, 35.
Five other individuals located in the home did not have warrants. The execution of the Lyon Place warrant was led by the New Mexico State Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit.
“This joint operation shows the message we are sending to those who want to break the law,” said New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler. “Crime will not be tolerated in our communities. I have sent and will continue to send NMSP officers from across the state to assist our fellow agencies in seeking out those who attempt to threaten the peace and well-being of our neighborhoods.”
The first week of Operation Not in Vain also included 237 traffic stops, 49 traffic citations, 12 trespass warnings and the seizure of one firearm. Besides the 2.4 grams of meth seized, law enforcement partners seized 55 fentanyl pills during the first week of the operation.
Operation Not in Vain is a months-long crime reduction project in memory of fallen LCPD Officer Jonah Hernandez who was killed in the line of duty Feb. 11, 2024. The operation is utilizing law enforcement resources from the Las Cruces Police Department, New Mexico State Police, the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State University Police, the Mesilla Marshals Office, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office along with several federal agencies.
Operation Not in Vain 2025 is anticipated to run through August.
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