District attorney announces four convictions

CLOVIS – Ninth Judicial District Attorney Quentin Ray announced convictions in four separate cases this month.

Ray reports Marcus Lewis, 21, was found guilty by a jury of shooting at or from a motor vehicle, three counts of aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, aggravated fleeing from a law enforcement officer, three counts of shooting at or from a motor vehicle and failure to give immediate notice of accidents. He was also found to have discharged a firearm during the commission of a felony and is subject to a five-year enhancement on each felony.

At the time of the incident in July of last year, Lewis was being sought in the wounding of Jesus Navarette.

July 22, officers with the Clovis Police Department made a traffic stop with Lewis.

As officers approached his window Lewis fled at a high rate of speed leading officers thru the city into the county on a pursuit. As officers pursued Lewis he began to shoot at multiple officers.

Lewis wrecked his vehicle into two other vehicles and then fled on foot.

Lewis was located three days later and was caught after a foot chase in Clovis.

In the news release, Ray wrote Ninth Judicial District Judge Drew Tatum presided over the trial.

Lewis remains in detention pending his sentencing hearing. Lewis has one prior felony conviction.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Brett Carter and Natasha Patel.

Lewis was represented by criminal defense attorney Sandra Gallagher of Clovis. Gallagher did not return a phone call requesting comment on the case.

Ray issued another news release detailing the Monday conviction of Angelina Montaño, 31, of Clovis.

Montaño was found guilty by a jury of battery on a household member, a misdemeanor.

Clovis Police officers responded to a domestic call last June 26.

Montaño had been in an argument with her grandmother. During the argument, Montaño pulled her grandmother’s hair, scratched her face, neck and arms and ripped her shirt.

Judge Stephen Whittington presided over the trial and sentenced Montaño to 364 days in the Curry County Adult Detention Center, all which was suspended in favor of 2 years of supervised probation. Montaño is required to do 52 weeks of Anger Management.

Ray reports the case was prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Leah Hutchins.

Montaño was represented by Taylor Larsen, criminal defense attorney, of Clovis who did not return a call requesting comment.

In a third news release from his office, Ray announced that Tuesday, Richard Silva, 35, of Clovis, pled guilty to aggravated battery (great bodily harm) and admitted having prior felony convictions. Silva was on probation at the time of the incident before the court.

Officers with the Clovis Police Department responded to Plains Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in reference to a person who had been stabbed.

The victim said he was doing Silva a favor, giving him a ride to Westward Ho Motel.

During the ride Silva asked for money and the victim stated he did not have any money. Silva pulled a knife and cut him on the right side of his neck threatening to kill him.

Judge Tatum presided over Silva’s plea hearing. Tatum revoked Silva’s probation for 2 years and sentenced Silva to an additional 5 years for a total of 7 years in the Department of Corrections.

Tatum deemed Silva’s offense to be a serious violent one and Silva will have to serve at least 85% of the sentence.

“I know I was in the wrong for what I did. I was not in my right mind,” Silva said.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Carter.

Silva was represented by criminal defense attorney, Kaitlyn Cochran, of Clovis who had “no comment” when contacted at her office.

In a fourth news release, Ray gave details on the Wednesday conviction of Beatrice Rivera, 55, of Clovis.

Rivera was convicted of accessory to second degree murder in the death of Ivan Luevano of Clovis in 2021.

Officers with the Clovis Police Department responded to 125 El Camino in reference to a gunshot victim Oct. 10, 2021.

Luevano was found to have been shot multiple times and later succumbed to his injuries after being transported to PRMC.

An investigation by the Major Crimes Unit found that Rivera learned that Luevano was selling marijuana out of his home and was in possession of a large amount of marijuana and cash.

Rivera contacted a relative in Lubbock and they made plans to steal the marijuana and cash.

After Rivera directed the two men to Luevano’s residence she left the area.

Luevano died of gunshot wounds inflicted in the confrontation with the two men, David Valdez and Victor Quintanilla, who were later arrested in Lubbock and Oklahoma.

According to Ray, although Rivera was not present during the shooting, she was charged as an accessory to the murder for directing the men to the victim’s residence.

Ray reports Tatum presided over the plea hearing and sentenced Rivera to 12 years in the Department of Corrections. She will have to serve 85% of the sentence and will not be eligible for parole until 2032.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Carter and Senior Trial Attorney Leah Hutchins.

Rivera was represented by Criminal Defense Attorney Gallagher of Clovis.

Gallagher did not respond to a call to her office seeking comment on the case.