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Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 15 April 2019 15 April 2019

Ernie Thomas Ortiz, 45, of Albuquerque, has been charged in a federal complaint with Harboring a Fugitive for allegedly being the driver of a vehicle in which Jeyden Bailey Barnhill was found last weekend.

Ortiz also faces federal charges of Aggravated Identity Theft and Possession of Methamphetamine.

Ortiz and Barnhill, 24, were apprehended by the FBI with the assistance of the Albuquerque Police Department on Saturday during a traffic stop.

Barnhill, who was wanted on a federal arrest warrant for allegedly absconding from pre-trial release, allegedly tried to flee from agents and officers after the vehicle was stopped. 

Barnhill, of Albuquerque, was among several people arrested during a multi-agency law enforcement operation in southeast Albuquerque on March 29, 2019.

She was charged on a federal complaint with Hobbs Act Armed Robbery, Possession of Stolen Firearms, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, Conspiracy, and Aiding and Abetting.

She was placed under pre-trial release supervision on April 1. She allegedly left La Pasada Halfway House in Albuquerque the next day without permission.

Ortiz had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque on Monday. He will have a preliminary detention hearing on Tuesday. 

The public is reminded that all defendants are considered innocent unless convicted in a court of law.