‘Not in Vain’ Records 330 Arrests, More than 1200 Citations

Operation Not in Vain, a three-month crime reduction project in memory of fallen Las Cruces Police Department Officer Jonah Hernandez, generated 127 felony arrests, 114 misdemeanor arrests, 89 criminal citations and more than 1,200 traffic citations during its three-months operation.

Source: City of Las Cruces
Photo: Courtesy

“The success of this operation underscores the importance of collaboration among state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies,” said Jeremy Story, Chief of the Las Cruces Police Department. “By combining resources and expertise, we have made a positive impact on the safety of our community.

“While this is an important step forward, we recognize there is still much work to be done. Together with our partners, we remain committed to pressing on and addressing the challenges ahead and ensuring justice and safety for all Las Cruces.”

The operation, which began Aug. 5 and concluded Nov. 8, utilized law enforcement personnel from the Las Cruces Police Department, New Mexico State Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency, representatives from the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and other federal task force agents.

Final stats, by the numbers, from Aug. 5 through Nov. 8:

1284 Traffic citations
291 Reports taken
209 Trespass warnings
127 Arrests (felony)
119 Field interviews
114 Arrests (misdemeanor)
89 Criminal citations issued
29 Warrants (search/arrest) completed
25 Stolen vehicles seized/recovered
24 Separate narcotics seizures
12 Firearms seized/recovered
15 DWI arrests

“This operation is a testament to the power of collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies,” said Troy Weisler, Chief of New Mexico State Police. “By working together, we’ve successfully taken dangerous criminals, illegal firearms and narcotics off the streets of our communities, making New Mexico safer for all.

“Our commitment to keeping these threats off the streets remains steadfast. We will ensure that Officer Jonah Hernandez’s sacrifice was not in vain and continue to stand united in our fight against crime to protect the safety of our citizens.”

Law enforcement personnel seized more than 3,200 fentanyl pills and roughly 54 pounds of methamphetamine during the operation. The operation also tallied 607 consensual contacts with members of the community and 539 meetings with local businesses.

LCPD Officer Jonah Hernandez was killed in the line of duty Feb. 11, 2024, after responding to a trespassing call at a vacant building on the 300 block of south Valley Drive. The men and women of the Las Cruces Police Department have committed to ensure that Hernandez’s service to the community be remembered.

Hernandez was from El Paso, Texas, and served two years with the Las Cruces Police Department.

Operation Not in Vain targeted violent and property crimes, persons with outstanding warrants, repeat offenders, traffic enforcement and quality of life crimes. The project also offered an engagement aspect with law enforcement personnel reaching out to Las Cruces residents and local businesses.

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Levi Gwaltney

Levi Gwaltney is the Editor In Chief of Las Cruces Digest. The Editor makes editorial and posting decisions regarding content published on this site. In most cases, the Editor makes little if any contribution to content published, and takes no credit for the content of republished posts. If available, the source or author of posts is provided at the top of the article.