Man arrested in Pecos in connection to threats made against Lea County judge

LEA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO (KOSA) - A man has been arrested in Pecos in connection with a threat made against a District Court Judge in Lea County, New Mexico. [KCBD 11]

Law enforcement in west Texas has taken a 35-year-old New Mexico man into custody on charges stemming from menacing electronic communications directed at a district court judge.

Sebastian Rios-Sierra was apprehended in Pecos after investigators determined he had sent multiple threatening video messages to the judicial officer's official email address. The judge had previously presided over an unrelated criminal case in which Rios-Sierra received a sentence, according to New Mexico State Police.

State police secured an arrest warrant Friday charging Rios-Sierra with one count of threatening a judge, categorized as a fourth-degree felony under New Mexico law. The investigation identified Pecos as Rios-Sierra's location, prompting authorities to coordinate with local law enforcement.

Pecos police officers worked alongside state investigators to locate and detain Rios-Sierra without incident. He is presently held in custody pending extradition proceedings to return him to New Mexico to face the charges.

The New Mexico State Police commended the Pecos Police Department for its assistance in the apprehension. State authorities emphasized their commitment to investigating all threats directed toward public officials and the general public, noting that menaces against judges, law enforcement personnel and other government workers are treated with particular seriousness.