Francisco "Frank" Pino, 48, of Magdalena, is facing 15 counts of possession of firearms or destructive devices and charges of negligent use of explosives and drug possession after Socorro County sheriff's deputies searched his home on June 24, El Defensor Chieftain reported.

Magdalena Marshal Larry Cearly told El Defensor Chieftain he received a call on June 24 from the Magdalena Medical Clinic saying Pino was at the clinic and had been shot.

Pino told a deputy marshal that he had been sleeping on the floor of his home when he heard a knock at the door and when he opened the door a man entered the room and shot him with a shotgun, the paper said.

But when deputies went to his house to secure the property, Pino denied them entry, and he was moved to Socorro General Hospital for treatment of his injuries, El Defensor Chieftain said.

Emergency room staff told deputies that Pino's injuries were not consistent with a shotgun blast, and a later review of the evidence led investigators to conclude that an electric dynamite cap was exploded in some towels, causing the injuries to Pino, the paper reported.

Meanwhile, officers with search warrants for Pino's home discovered explosives and drugs and found metal fragments in the living room from what appeared to be a detonated incendiary device, according to El Defensor Chieftain.

According to a criminal complaint, officers found nine blasting caps, a stick of slurry dynamite, three plastic ammonium nitrate-fuel oil sticks, 35 feet of detonation primer cord and 1 foot of detonation cord at Pino's residence.

The complaint also charges Pino with negligent use of explosives resulting in injury to himself, possession of methamphetamine, cocaine and two marijuana plants as well as illegal possession of mercury, El Defensor Chieftain said.

Pino allegedly admitted to investigators that he had been under the influence of drugs when he tried to ignite a blasting cap with an electrical extension cord and the cap discharged and caused his injuries, the paper reported.

He was released from Socorro General Hospital and was issued a summons to appear in Socorro Magistrate Court on July 14, the paper said. 

Your Name:

Your Email Address:

Rate this article:
Poor Great

Comment:

BOLD

"QUOTE"

UNDERLINE