If Daniel Valenzuela is accepted as our new city manager, he will do so with a full plate of issues. Perhaps the most sensitive is the recent arrest of the city's Chief of Police. Tony Castaneda was arrested this week on a warrant issued at the request of the County Attorney, Ricardo Ramos for hindering apprehension or prosecution; a Class A misdemeanor punishable with a maximum sentence of 1 year incarceration and or $4000 fine.
What is at issue is what exactly happened on the day of the arrest of Glen Starnes following a city council meeting where he was dismissed of his duties.
According to news sources, a warrant had been issued for an arrest which would have placed Starnes in custody immediately following the council meeting.
The question that is germane is whether Chief Tony Castaneda was aware of the active warrant at the time Starnes left the building or was Starnes escorted out of the building by extraordinary means thus avoiding an arrest. If that was the case, what could be the justification for a law enforcement officer to fail to execute an order of arrest.
If the validity of the warrant was an issue, what steps were taken to confirm whether it was legitimate? Answers are sure to come in the next few days. Daniel Valensuela will also be involved with the logistical impact of the border fence.
