12-27-2024 2:01pm

Police Release Details of Christmas Eve Assault by Repeat Offender

Chris Edwards Editor

As AlamogordoTownNews.org previously reported of an incident at 215 White Sands Blvd Chrismas Eve; the police have now released an official statement of the arrest around the incident snd clarified it was a bashing with a baseball bat not a bullet wound to the victims head.

"On Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at approximately 11:41 a.m., Officers with the Alamogordo Police Department were dispatched to Auto Zone (215 N. White Sands Blvd) in reference to a welfare check on a male subject. Upon arrival at the scene, Officers located a 46-year-old male suffering from a significant injury and requested assistance from APD Detectives.

Due to the seriousness of the injury, the victim was transferred to a hospital in El Paso. The 12th Judicial District Major Crimes Unit, which is comprised of investigators from the Alamogordo Police Department, Otero County Sheriff's Office, State of New Mexico, Office of the Twelfth Judicial District Attorney, Ruidoso Police Department, and Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, was activated and assumed the investigation.

Officers and Detectives quickly determined the incident occurred in the desert area west of Auto Zone. The investigation further revealed that a baseball bat was the alleged weapon that caused injury to the victim.

As a result of the investigation, Esteban B. Ojeda Jr. was subsequently arrested and charged with Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon). Mr. Ojeda Jr. was additionally served with a 12th Judicial District Court bench warrant for failure to comply with conditions of release. Mr. Ojeda Jr. was incarcerated at the Otero County Detention Center awaiting his court appearance."

Mr. Ojeda has a history of battery arrests with a prior case pending. Pursuant to an Order of Protection violation he was arrested July 29th, 2024 for Violation of an Order of Protection, Resisting or Obstructing an Officer, and three counts of Battery Upon a Peace Officer. Mr. Ojeda was incarcerated in OCDC pending
an appearance in Magistrate Court. 24A-20087