Cops and courts: Clovis man sentenced for forgery, meth possession

A 42-year-old Clovis man was sentenced Wednesday to 3 1/2 years in prison on multiple charges, according to a press release from the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s office.

Alexander Morgan was found guilty of forgery, possession of methamphetamine, one count of issuing a valueless check, one count of shoplifting, and one count of embezzlement, according to the press release.

Morgan made several purchases with bad checks and also feigned using a self-check out register to leave a store with items and return them for a cash refund, the release said.

In January he was found to be in possession of meth during a traffic stop, the release said.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Burrell prosecuted the case for the state.

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A 47-year-old man listed on “New Mexico’s Top Ten List of Unlicensed Contractors” has been arrested on six counts of fraud, according a press release from the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s office.

Police say Arthur Castillo presented himself as a licensed contractor for C&C Painting, the release reported, and would submit proposals to perform construction or painting jobs. He allegedly collected the money and never returned to complete the jobs.

Castillo faces up to 9 years in prison, the release said.

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Daniel Gutierrez, 29, of Clovis, was found guilty Friday for severely beating a woman, inflicting internal bleeding and numerous other injuries, according a press release from the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s office.

A jury found Gutierrez guilty Friday of one count of kidnapping, and aggravated assault and battery of a household member, the release said.

According to testimony, Gutierrez’ fiancee, Jessica Baca, accompanied him to a Clovis bar. The defendant became upset with Baca, the release said, forcing her to leave the bar. When the couple arrived home, Gutierrez severely beat Baca and threatened her life, the release said.

The defendant will be sentenced within the next 60 days, according to the release, and could receive a maximum of 22 1/2 years in prison.

Gutierrez’ attorney, Tom Harden of Clovis, could not be reached Saturday for comment.

Cops and Courts is compiled by the CNJ staff. Managing Editor Rick White can be contacted at 763-6991 or: [email protected]