Clovis man pleads guilty, sentenced to five years

CLOVIS – A Clovis man who fought with police officers and led them on a chase in which a police dog was seriously injured has been sentenced to five years in prison after a guilty plea made under a plea agreement.

Ninth Judicial District Judge Drew Tatum sentenced Efrain Moreno, 26, of Clovis, to three years in prison a charge of aggravated assault on a police officer, 18 months on a felony count of fleeing law enforcement, and six months in prison for injuring the police dog, sentencing documents show.

Tatum handed down the sentence on July 20.

Moreno will also undergo two years, six months of probation and two years of parole, according to sentencing documents.

In compliance with the plea agreement, four additional charges of assault on a police officer were dropped.

The sentence also included payment of $180 in costs, according to court documents.

A news release from the office of Ninth Judicial District Attorney Brian Stover pointed out that Moreno may face deportation after his prison sentence, because he is not a U.S. citizen.

The charges resulted from a confrontation Moreno had with officers in the early morning of Dec. 17, 2020, according to the district attorney’s news release and an account of the incident in The News based on court documents.

At about 2 a.m. on that date, according to the News’ account, Moreno was seen at 14th Street and Main Street, Clovis, traveling at a high rate of speed in a white Chevrolet Tahoe SUV. Clovis police began a pursuit, which was later joined by Curry County Sheriff’s deputies, and later, Parmer County, Texas, deputies.

The pursuit led to U.S. 60/84 and east into Texas and then back to New Mexico. It ended when Moreno crashed the SUV near the New Mexico Port of Entry at Texico.

During the chase, The News notes, police said Moreno pointed a laser pointer and a weapon at them. The laser pointer and a pellet gun were recovered from Moreno’s vehicle after the pursuit, according to The News.

According to The News’ account, at one point during the pursuit, Moreno stopped his vehicle and opened the driver’s side door, putting a leg out.

Officers ordered Moreno to exit the vehicle, but he remained inside. Officers then ordered Castor to engage with Moreno.

The dog bit Moreno’s legs, according to The News’ account.

A police officer and Castor struggled with Moreno before Moreno managed to put the vehicle in reverse and escape.

The officer “was able to get out of the way of the vehicle but Castor was still halfway inside of the vehicle (and) eventually fell out,” according to court documents cited in the News.

The district attorney’s news release said Castor was dragged “several hundred yards” before he got free of the vehicle.

The News noted the dog suffered lacerations and “road rash.”

Moreno was treated for dog bites on his legs.

In sentencing, Tatum said he was surprised police did not use deadly force on Moreno and praised police for their “extreme level” of restraint in the incident, according to the district attorney’s release.

The release said Tatum was also “horrified” that Castor was dragged and injured.

The sentencing hearing was argued by Assistant District Attorney Jon Harris. Moreno was represented by Blake Dugger, a Lovington attorney.

Dugger did not immediately respond to a request for comment.