Las Cruces—On Monday, Chief District Court Judge Fernando Macias sentenced Clemente De La Cruz to 21 years imprisonment on counts of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer with Intent to kill; Tampering with evidence and Resisting, Evading & Obstructing an Officer (Arrest).
On April 15, 2013 at 3:30am Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Bayles witnessed the vehicle driven by De La Cruz make a U-turn on Valley Drive. When the Deputy pulled up alongside, the driver stated he was having car problems. Deputy Bayles turned around and pulled up behind De La Cruz’ parked vehicle to assist but when he approached the driver side with his flashlight De La Cruz suddenly jumped out of the vehicle wielding a sawed off shotgun and attempted to shoot Bayles but the gun failed.
Deputy Bayles fired striking the defendant once in each thigh. De La Cruz fled and hid in the Valley Westwind area. Border Patrol utilized heat sensor’s to locate him and he was promptly arrested.
De La Cruz has a 2007 conviction for Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon as well as a 2008 conviction for Shooting at a Dwelling. He recently pled to counts of Felon in Possession of a firearm in Federal Court which carries a term of 20 years imprisonment.
Federal Court sentence is pending.
Information from: Third Judicial District Attorney's Office