Deming man held in jail over alleged shooting threats

DEMING — A Deming man will remain in custody while awaiting his trial on two counts of making shooting threats in social media posts that prompted the brief closure of government buildings last month.

Stephen McKinley, 48, is accused of using his Facebook page to threaten Luna County employees, including law enforcement officers, in the midst of vague allegations about corruption and personal grievances.

For example, prosecutors presented a July 9 post in which McKinley wrote: “Today is your day, play stupid games. Well today you’ve won and will receive your stupid prizes. Pink mist mfers the smell is invigorating. You won’t ever hear it or feel it. Guaranteed! Don’t waste time looking over your shoulder, you don’t have time to waste!”

A New Mexico State Police detective stated in a criminal complaint that the post would reasonably be read as a death threat, with “pink mist” a reference to spattering blood, as from a bullet or explosive.

In a series of posts, McKinley had identified county officials, deputies as well as other county and city of Deming employees, according to a criminal complaint. The post, published that morning and later deleted, demonstrated “violence, dangerousness and a willingness to use firearms,” prosecutors stated in a petition seeking pretrial detention.

In response to the posts, County Manager Chris Brice delayed the opening of the county offices housed at the historic Luna County Courthouse, and the complaint states that the state district court and Luna County Magistrate Court buildings were ordered to shelter in place that day.

In a news release, District Attorney Norman Wheeler’s office said it had executed a search warrant for McKinley’s Facebook posts dating back to May of this year. The threat “disrupted police agency operations, required enhanced security measures at the District and Magistrate Court, all administrative offices, necessitated additional security measures for court staff; and left a lingering sense of diminished safety just because of their position as public officials,” the release stated.

Prosecutors pointed to McKinley’s criminal history since 2012, including convictions on charges involving burglary, attempted breaking and entering, criminal damage to property, receiving stolen firearms and threatening a witness, in various cases.

On Monday, state District Judge Jennifer DeLaney granted prosecutors’ petition, ordering McKinley to be held. She also dismissed two out of four counts from the complaint, the DA’s office said. Further proceedings have not yet been scheduled.

McKinley’s attorney did not respond to a query from the Journal.

McKinley is being prosecuted under a law signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in February, making shooting or bomb threats a fourth-degree felony and enabling courts to order restitution for economic harms caused by such threats.