Pubdate: Tue, 08 Nov 2005
Source: Farmington Daily Times (NM)
Copyright: 2005 NorthWest New Mexico Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.daily-times.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/951
Author: Nathan Gonzalez

REGION II DIRECTOR SPEAKS OUT AT DRUG DEALER'S SENTENCING

Says We Are 'Far Beyond' Meth Epidemic, Urges Maximum Sentence

AZTEC -- In a rare court appearance Monday, State Police Region II 
Narcotics Director Ken Christensen urged a state judge to send a 
message to area drug pushers by sentencing a Bloomfield man to prison 
for the maximum allowed exposure.

Christensen told District Court Judge Thomas Hynes that Adam Campos, 
29, of Bloomfield, was not a mere dealer selling drugs to maintain 
his own drug habit, but an individual who didn't care about the 
safety of his community.

Christensen said he wanted Hynes to sentence Campos "to the fullest 
extent of the law" as a message to others in the Four Corners area 
that they will be prosecuted.

"We will not accept the (drug) culture. We are far beyond an epidemic 
of methamphetamine," Christensen said. "I would really like to see 
something done with Mr. Campos."

Campos was sentenced to four years in prison on various possession 
and distribution charges stemming from four separate court cases. 
Campos will be eligible for parole in two years.

"We see a lot of distribution cases and it's rare for us to bring in 
the director of Region II," Assistant District Attorney David Ottman 
told Hynes. "Adam Campos is not just a junky. He is the problem. This 
is well beyond someone selling to support their habit."

Ottman said Campos provides drugs to the community and was the topic 
of a meeting about the impact of drugs in the region.

Campos was arrested in August along with William Varela, 28, of 
Bloomfield, after Region II Narcotics Task Force agents executed a 
search warrant on Campos' home.

According to state police, Region II agents confiscated more than one 
ounce of meth, a half-gram of suspected cocaine and about 4.7 grams 
of "green leafy substance."

Court documents state that Bloomfield Police Chief Drew Standley 
contacted Region II agents because of complaints from local residents 
over suspected drug activity and increased traffic at Campos' home.

"Over the past year or so, we have been chasing Campos because of 
dozens of complaints from Bloomfield," Christensen said.

Nine days after Standley contacted Region II, Campos and Varela were 
arrested following a traffic stop. Campos was cited for not having a 
license or proper registration on the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle revealed "two rock-like items" in a vial 
under the front driver's seat, which police claim tested positive for 
methamphetamine. A sawed-off shot gun also was found, in the trunk of the car.

Campos attorney Ron Adamson said the state Probation and Parole 
Department recommended Campos be released on probation. However, 
Hynes disagreed.

"(Campos) is telling them he has an addiction problem. He's asking 
for help. He knows he can't stop on his own," Adamson said.

Campos said he moved to Bloomfield with his family, seeking work. 
Following his divorce, Campos said he lost his family, slipped deep 
into drugs and then "down-spiraled."

"I came here and got into a lot of trouble because I didn't seek the 
help," Campos said.

Hynes agreed that Campos played an active role in moving illegal 
drugs in the county and urged him to seek drug treatment in prison.

"If you are truly a drug addict, you will get your treatment in 
prison. You'll get to prove yourself when you get out," the judge said.
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