Las Cruces man accused of sending Facebook shooting threats with rifle photo
A Las Cruces man faces a felony charge after investigators say he sent Facebook shooting threats along with a rifle photo during a dispute over money.
Investigators say the alleged threats stemmed from a dispute over money and included a photo of an AK-47-style rifle sent through Facebook Messenger.
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - A Las Cruces man is facing a felony charge after investigators say he sent threatening Facebook Messenger messages that included a photo of an AK-47-style rifle during a dispute over money.
Ethan Escalera, 23, was charged with making a shooting threat, a fourth-degree felony, according to court records.
The criminal complaint alleges Escalera sent the messages to a man who previously paid him for helping crush cans and also gave him a bicycle in exchange for work.
According to the complaint, the man told investigators Escalera became upset after repeated requests for more money were denied. Investigators say the alleged victim reported receiving additional threatening messages on Feb. 4.
Court records state Escalera allegedly sent a photo of a black AK-47-style rifle through Facebook Messenger along with a message that read: “Get ready cuz I’m going to lights your house up and everybody that lives with you is going get shot to cuz your p**** ass.”
The alleged victim told investigators he feared Escalera would carry out the threat because he knew where he lived, according to the complaint.
Investigators said they reviewed evidence provided by the alleged victim and confirmed the existence of a Facebook Messenger conversation thread and the rifle image referenced in the complaint.
Court records show the criminal complaint and arrest warrant were filed Feb. 12 in Doña Ana County Magistrate Court.
Jail records show Escalera was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center on Wednesday after being arrested at the Chaves County Jail.
A public safety assessment filed in the case recommended release on recognizance.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
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