
Deming Police Chief Brandon Gigante said 23-year-old Robert Tafoya has now been charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and an additional two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon.
He also has been served a District Court bench warrant out of Curry County for absconding from probation.
Tafoya was arraigned Monday on an open count of murder and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with the shooting death of 37-year-old Richard Perez.
The shooting happened just after midnight Sunday, July 5th, in the 1100 block of South Gold.
Gigante said the additional charges stem from a search warrant executed at the house on South Gold rented by Tafoya and 35-year-old Cynthia Baeza Rodriguez.
Rodriguez also has been charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Gigante said 17 bricks of marijuana were found at the residence along with a significant amount of methamphetamine and two weapons. The trafficking and distribution charges were filed because of the amount of narcotics and the way the drugs were packaged.