Clovis, NM – Ninth Judicial District Attorney, Quentin Ray, announced today that Alex Zapata, age 27, has been sentenced to 8 years in the New Mexico Department of Corrections following his conviction of Tampering with Evidence.
The charge is related to a December 12, 2024, incident in which Region V Drug Task Force Agents, in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Service and Clovis Police Department, located and arrested Zapata at a residence on the 3100 block of Smith Street in Clovis. Both Zapata and his girlfriend, Mikyla Sandoval, were detained at the scene.
During the booking process, Zapata attempted to destroy evidence by swallowing a small bag of suspected methamphetamine. He was transported to the hospital where a white substance was recovered. Testing by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine, weighing 0.03 grams.
Zapata’s conviction is separate from pending charges. He is still awaiting trial in connection with the 2023 homicide and robbery of Anival Ulloa Salguero.
“A criminal with nearly a decade long criminal history has been taken off the street. The District Attorney’s Office remains committed to protecting the public and holding habitual offenders accountable for their actions” said District Attorney Quentin Ray.
The State was represented by Special Prosecutor, Brett Carter. Zapata was represented by attorney Houston Ross of Albuquerque.
For more information, please contact the District Attorney’s Office at (575) 769-2246.
