Michael Morris – In Focus

In our breaking news section DA Scott Key has declined to file any abduction charges against Fred Jacob Hoberman who was made the subject of an interstate manhunt over the weekend after Otero County Undersheriff Norbert Sanchez misrepresented the situation to State Police in order to get them to issue an Amber Alert. Otero Sheriff John Blansett informed the Alamogordo Times by phone earlier today of the decision by the DA not to file charges on the supposed kidnapping.

Some have contended that I should have interviewed Sanchez before making the assertions in my earlier column this morning. Let me splain why not. I have, on MountainMailCountry.com, run the Amber Alerts for nearly 5 years on the top of every page. Being active in the Amber community I am well aware of the criteria for making an Amber Alert. This was obviously not one for several reasons most notably that police had no reason to believe that a dangerous abduction had occurred given the facts they presented. I am personally concerned when sloppy police work endangers this very important and effective program.

With Scot Key’s refusal to prosecute the man made the subject of a manhunt as a dangerous kidnapper we have what could be described as a rebuttable presumption that Sanchez had no right to do what he did. What he actually did will surely be addressed in civil proceedings as the actions of the Undersheriff have placed the County at great risk. Both the child and the trumped up suspect were placed in extreme danger by his actions.

We need to find an attorney for the child. He too was placed in harm’s way due to this reckless behavior from the #2 over at the Sheriff’s Department. It will be important to determine the motives of Sanchez as this unfolds. Why did he do it? Equally important will be to understand his reported frustration with the State Police who apparently were not as excited by this story as he. The State Police have questions to answer. The primary question will be did the NMSP initially deny Sanchez’ request for an alert only to have a new call with different criteria asserted.

All we can do is watch and hope that the involved agencies do not attempt to erect a great wall of silence. The bottom line is that even this DA did not see a case. From what we all saw there was no case. Is this the kind of “Running Man” game you want your police to engage in? Trumping up charges and public accusations has no place in the Sheriff’s Department. I am truly sorry this happened.