Media Release: Ninth Judicial District Attorney

Clovis, NM – Ninth Judicial District Attorney Quentin Ray announced today that Jonathan Hay, 39, of Chaparral, New Mexico, has been sentenced to five and a half years in the New Mexico Department of Corrections for unlawful possession of a firearm and fleeing from law enforcement.

The sentence stems from a July 3, 2025 incident that resulted in a high-speed pursuit, a crash, and the recovery of illegal firearms.

At approximately 9:52 a.m. on July 3, Clovis Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle with three occupants—two males and one female—allegedly armed with firearms. The caller reported that the driver was in possession of an “automatic rifle” and the front-seat passenger had a handgun.

Officers located the suspect vehicle, a gray Buick, near the 600 block of Dawn Loop. As officers attempted to initiate a high-risk traffic stop, the driver—later identified as Jonathan Hay—fled at a high rate of speed. A brief pursuit ensured before the vehicle crashed at 424 Dawn Loop.

Hay exited the vehicle and aggressively approached Officer Brandon Jimenez’s patrol unit before being detained at gunpoint.  A second suspect, Michael Padilla, fled on foot but was later located and taken into custody.  A female passenger, Gabriella Ramos, was detained on scene.  Officers recovered an AR-15 rifle and a 9mm pistol from the vehicle.  Both male suspects were convicted felons and prohibited from possessing firearms.

Hay was charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer. On September 15, 2025, Hay plead guilty to both charges and the Honorable Benjamin Cross sentenced Hay to five and a half years in the New Mexico Department of Corrections, followed by two years of supervised parole.

“This case highlights the danger posed when convicted felons continue to illegally possess firearms,” said District Attorney Quentin Ray. “Thanks to the quick action of Clovis Police officers, no innocent civilians were harmed, and these weapons are now off the streets.”

Special Prosecutor, Brett Carter, negotiated the plea.  Hay was represented by Angelina Baca of the Law Office of the Public Defender.

For more information, please contact the District Attorney’s Office at (575) 769-2246.