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Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Around New Mexico
Journal Staff and Wire
Laser Tested at White Sands
The U.S. Air Force and the Boeing Co. have successfully tested a high-power laser while in flight over southern New Mexico.
St. Louis-based Boeing Integrated Defense Systems said Monday in a news release that the laser hit a target on the ground during Saturday's test.
The advanced tactical laser aircraft took off from Kirtland Air Force Base and fired the laser while flying over White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico.
Boeing is developing the laser — a C-130H aircraft equipped with a high-energy chemical laser and a beam control system — for the Air Force.
Gary Fitzmire, vice president and program director of Boeing Directed Energy Systems, said the test shows that the laser's ultraprecision will dramatically reduce collateral damage.
Artifact Investigation Defended
PARK CITY, Utah — Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says he stands behind an investigation that resulted in the indictments of 24 people accused of illegally trafficking in prehistoric artifacts from the Four Corners area.
Responding to a question from The Associated Press at the Western Governors' Association meeting on Monday, Salazar said he didn't have any regrets about the case involving residents of Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.
On Saturday, Utah's two U.S. senators said they want Congress to investigate the actions of federal agents who arrested 23 of those indicted last week after a two-year undercover investigation. The Republicans said the raid was overkill.
Salazar said laws intended to protect American Indian artifacts from harm should be followed and federal agents did what they had to do in carrying out the investigation and arrests.
Fighter Accused of Child Abuse
A professionally trained Albuquerque martial arts fighter was arrested in connection with abusing his 3-month-old son.
According to a criminal complaint, Turrell "Freak Strong" Galloway was left alone with his son on Saturday after his mother, Pyrcosha Lueras, went to the store.
Lueras said that when she returned home, she saw Galloway with his hand over the baby's mouth telling him to "shut up."
Lueras said Galloway held the baby under the arms and dug his fingers into the child's shoulder blades, then changed positions to cradle him and squeeze him tightly in his arms, according to the complaint.
Lueras said Galloway told her, "I would hit you but I'd go to jail," after she shouted for Galloway to leave the baby alone. Lueras told police Galloway has hit her before.
Galloway, 32, was arrested Sunday and charged with child abuse and assault against a household member. He was in the Metropolitan Detention Center as of Monday evening.
Galloway denied hurting the child but told police he did play rough with his son and sometimes "messes with him to make him cry."
An emergency order of protection was obtained for Lueras and the baby.
Arizona Gears for Centennial
PHOENIX — Preparations are under way for Arizona's centennial celebration.
The state Centennial Commission on Tuesday unveiled its logo and Web site and also announced that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will perform centennial tribute concerts at US Airways Center in Phoenix on two days in February 2012.
Gov. Jan Brewer, co-chair of the commission with retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Bud Jones, said the Web site provides ways for Arizonans to learn about centennial planning and participate in activities.
The Web site's address is www.arizona100.org.
The circular logo has "Arizona" arched around the top and the word "centennial" displayed beneath a sunburst. Also, the years 1912 and 2012 are positioned on each side.
New Mexican Admits Smuggling
RICHMOND, Va. — A New Mexico man has pleaded guilty to smuggling $850,000 in gold coins into Mexico as part of a scheme to defraud the Defense Department.
Glenn Teal of Santa Fe faces up to five years in prison at his Sept. 22 sentencing. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle goods Monday in federal court in Richmond.
The 53-year-old Teal is the fifth person to plead guilty in a conspiracy that established sham companies to sell defective or useless parts for the military's weapons systems. The conspirators used some of the $3.7 million in proceeds to buy gold.
Prosecutors say Teal delivered some of the gold into Mexico for the conspiracy's alleged leader, who is in custody in Cancun awaiting extradition.
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