Suspect in pistachio farm standoff is denied bail
ALAMOGORDO – A 12th Judicial District Court judge has rule that Kaleb J. Scroggins will be jailed at the Otero County Detention Center on a no-bond hold pending his trial on the charges connected to Sunday’s McGinn’s tree farm hostage incident.
The 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office had filed a motion for pretrial detention pending Scroggins’ trial on his charges of two counts of aggravated assault upon a police officer, shooting at an occupied building, breaking and entering, aggravated fleeing law enforcement and criminal damage to property stemming from Sunday morning’s incident at McGinn’s Pistachio Tree Ranch, 7320 U.S. Highway 54/70, just north of Alamogordo.
New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents continue their investigation of the McGinn’s incident and additional charges are pending.
More:Suspect charged in standoff at pistachio farm and Alamogordo shooting
From the bench Thursday, 12th Judicial District Judge Jerry H. Ritter Jr. said he believed Scroggins, 21, is a danger to the community.
In his ruling Ritter cited he had concerns about the community’s safety because Scroggins was on probation at the time of the McGinn’s hostage incident.
“I do find clear and present evidence that the defendant is dangerous,” Ritter said from the bench. “I think there is evidence, he presents a danger to the community. He is to be held on no-bond pending his trial.”
He said he believed Scroggins was a danger to the safety of the community because Scroggins allegedly possessed a firearm during the McGinn’s incident and also allegedly admitted to police that he used methamphetamine a couple of days prior to the incident at the tree farm which violated Scroggins conditions of probation.
More:State Police respond to hostage situation at pistachio farm
During the state’s motion hearing, testimony from an Alamogordo Police Department detective revealed APD detectives were looking for Scroggins in connection to the shooting incident of a 23-year-old man who was shot three times in the 700 block of South Canyon in Alamogordo that occurred around 4 a.m. Sunday morning.
An APD detective testified APD officers learned Scroggins was in the La Luz area driving a black Nissan Frontier pickup truck.
The detective testified that officers spotted Scroggins traveling in the area of Dog Ranch Road then Scroggins fled the area traveling towards U.S. Highway 54/70.
During the vehicle pursuit its alleged Scroggins pickup truck reached speeds of up to 100 mph on Dog Ranch Road then Scroggins’ pickup was T-boned by a northbound vehicle on Highway 54/70 after Scroggins failed to yield to oncoming traffic.
According to testimony at the motion hearing, Scroggins exited his vehicle after the crash then allegedly shot at police and ran to McGinn’s but the front door was either locked or difficult for Scroggins to open.
Scroggins eventually gained entry into the business then allegedly threatened police and individuals while inside the building.
More:Update: Police release name of the man arrested after 4 hour standoff at McGinn's
During testimony from a NMSPIV agent, Scroggins had torn off a camera from a wall inside McGinn’s because he believed police were watching him via the camera.
According to testimony, Scroggins threatened to allegedly harm one of the 17 people inside McGinn’s. It was revealed that 14 people were inside a pistachio freezer while two people were inside an office storage room holding the doors shut and another person was hiding under the stairs inside the business.
An NMSPIB agent testified that Scroggins allegedly threw or placed his firearm inside the hole created after he had torn off the camera from the wall.
Otero County Sheriff’s Office negotiator Undersheriff Liliana Schnell began talking with Scroggins then NMSP’s TAC team were able to rescue the hostage unharmed. Scroggins peacefully surrendered a short time thereafter, and was taken to an area hospital where he was treated and cleared for arrest then jailed at OCDC.
Scroggins is also charged with one count of third-degree felony aggravated battery with great bodily harm in Sunday’s 4 a.m. alleged shooting of the 23-year-old Alamogordo man. He is jailed on a $50,000 no-10 percent bond in that case.
Scroggins is also jailed on a no-bond hold for two petty misdemeanor probation violations pending his appearance in court.