‘Not in Vain’ Records More Than 120 Arrests and 320 Citations in First Month

Operation Not in Vain, a months-long crime reduction project in memory of fallen Las Cruces Police Department Officer Jonah Hernandez, has generated 77 felony arrests, 50 misdemeanor arrests and more than 320 traffic citations in its first month of operation.

“Although we have many challenges to tackle, the first month of Operation Not in Vain has given me a lot of hope that we are becoming a safer city together, said LCPD Chief Jeremy Story. “The collaboration between law enforcement agencies, businesses and citizens has been incredibly encouraging and rewarding.”

The operation, which began Aug. 5 and is anticipated to run through November 2024, is utilizing law enforcement personnel from the Las Cruces Police Department, New Mexico State Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and representatives from the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

First-month stats, by the numbers, from Aug. 5-31:

• 4 DWI arrests
• 9 Firearms seized/recovered
• 10 Separate narcotics seizures
• 12 Stolen vehicles seized/recovered
• 13 Warrants (search/arrest) completed
• 38 Criminal citations issued
• 50 Arrests (misdemeanor)
• 60 Field interviews
• 70 Trespass warnings
• 77 Arrests (felony)
• 124 Reports taken
• 322 Traffic citations

“This is the quintessential example of the impact law enforcement at the federal, state, and local levels can have when they work together,” said David O. Barnett, Jr., U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico. “We are incredibly thankful for our partnership with the Las Cruces Police Department and how our combined efforts positively impact our community’s safety.”

Law enforcement personnel seized nearly 2,000 fentanyl pills and more than 53 pounds of methamphetamine in the first month of the operation.

“Due to this operation and our partnership with Las Cruces PD, dangerous synthetic drugs that are killing New Mexicans have been removed from Las Cruces,” said Towanda R. Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s El Paso Division.  “With this type of collaboration with our local law enforcement partners, the men and women of the DEA are making our communities safer and healthier.”

The operation also tallied 270 consensual contacts with members of the community and 144 meetings with local businesses during the first month of the operation.

“Homeland Security Investigations is proud to work alongside our federal, state and local agency partners as part of Operation Not in Vain to help combat gang activity and violent crime in southern New Mexico,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge, Jason T. Stevens, HSI El Paso. “These partnerships are essential for tackling complex, multi-jurisdictional crimes and ensuring public safety.”

“We honor Officer Hernandez by continuing his work of serving and protecting the citizens of Las Cruces,” said Troy Weisler, Chief of New Mexico State Police. “His sacrifice was not in vain, and we are dedicated to creating a safer community for all residents.”

LCPD Officer Jonah Hernandez was killed in the line of duty Feb. 11, 2024, after responding to a trespassing call at a vacant building on the 300 block of south Valley Drive. The men and women of the Las Cruces Police Department have committed to ensure that Hernandez’s service to the community be remembered.

Hernandez was from El Paso, Texas, and served two years with the Las Cruces Police Department.

Operation Not in Vain is targeting violent and property crimes, persons with outstanding warrants, repeat offenders, traffic enforcement and quality of life crimes. The project is also offering an engagement aspect with law enforcement personnel reaching out to Las Cruces residents and local businesses.