Former ENMU student back in jail

Tony Parra: Freedom Newspapers

A former Eastern New Mexico University student, convicted of vehicular homicide last year, was back in court on Wednesday. This time, Tiffany Rodgers is accused of violating terms of her probation.

Rodgers, 21, was convicted last summer in connection with the death of 15-year-old Matt Foley. She was sentenced to six months in the Lea County Detention Center, followed by 2 1/2 years of house arrest.

Rodgers served her time in RCDC, but was arrested on Friday in Lea County. Officials said she was in a vehicle with a man she was not supposed to associate with, according to the terms of her probation. Police said they found methamphetamines and a firearm in the vehicle, also violations of her probation. Prosecutor Donna Mowrer said Wednesday that Rodgers was on house arrest and was not supposed to leave her home unless she was going to work or church.

Rodgers entered a plea of not guilty to the allegations of probation violation. Ninth Judicial District Judge Joe Parker said if she is found guilty, Rodgers will be incarcerated until June 7, 2007.

Rodgers did not have an attorney to represent her on Wednesday, but is expected to have one when her case goes to court at 3 p.m. on Oct. 28.

Mowrer requested Rodgers’ bond be changed from $10,000 cash-assurance to $10,000 cash only.

Judge Parker agreed to the bond request, and Rodgers remained in custody at RCDC.

Rodgers, a Lovington native, was a student at ENMU in February of 2002 when Foley was killed while walking to a friend’s house.

Reports of the accident show Rodgers, 19 at the time, drove a vehicle that hit Foley on Roosevelt Road P, then drove off without seeking medical assistance.

At her sentencing last year, Judge Robert Brack specifically addressed Rodgers about meeting all the conditions of her release from custody, something he said she didn’t do prior to reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors in the case.

“I’m showing some mercy in my sentence and I don’t want to feel like I’ve made a mistake,” he told Rodgers in June of 2003.