Holy Cross lockdown suspect racks up new charges in jail

It was only a little more than one month before Rafael Orozco — the suspect that caused a lockdown at Holy Cross Hospital — picked up more charges. The new charges are not related to the hospital incident and occurred in jail.

Orozco, 22, was being held on a $20,000 cash-only bond for the alleged assault of his wife, newborn child and a health care worker at Holy Cross in September — an incident that touched off widespread news coverage and a months-long search for the suspect.

Following his arrest in Rio Arriba County in December, Orozco was arraigned in Taos County Magistrate Court and subsequently incarcerated at the Taos County Adult Detention Center, where he was recently found to be in possession of a smuggled Schedule III controlled substance.

Details

According to a statement of probable cause, Sgt. Shane Burt, who works at the jail, observed Orozco when he met with three unnamed individuals during a routine visitation Jan. 1.

During the exchange, Burt noticed a piece of paper on the floor near the defendant's foot. Asked to explain the object, Orozco allegedly advised that the piece of paper was to be used to write down a phone number. Upon closer inspection, Burt noticed another object under the suspect's foot, which he identified as Suboxone, an FDA-approved, Schedule III substance commonly prescribed for heroin addiction treatment, but which is also often diverted to illegal channels and smuggled as a concealable, if less powerful, substitute.

A New Mexico State Police officer was then called to the scene. The officer stated that he "spoke to Mr. Orozco, who would not tell me from whom he had received the controlled substance. Mr. Orozco proceeded instead to tell me that he did many drugs, and was simply using the Suboxone to keep himself 'level.' "

Orozco claimed to have used several other illicit substances during his incarceration, including methamphetamine and a substance he referred to as "chiva," stating that the drugs were "easier to obtain within the jail than out on the street."

After returning to his holding cell, Orozco then allegedly pulled a fire extinguisher off the wall, setting off the jail's fire alarm and sprinkler system, "flooding his cell and the hallway." Jail staff responded by barricading other cells with towels to limit water damage, ultimately estimated at under $1,000. When asked why he set off the alarm, Orozco allegedly shrugged.

The individuals with whom Orozco met during his visitation were neither detained nor questioned during the incident. Burt explained that he had focused his efforts and attention on Orozco, an individual known to be "extremely violent."

Orozco was arraigned Jan. 18 for bringing contraband into a jail, a fourth-degree felony; possession of a controlled substance, a felony; interference with bomb or fire control, a misdemeanor; and criminal damage to property, a petty misdemeanor. He is being held on an additional $10,000 cash-only bond.

His next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 1.