MEDIA ALERT

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Date: July 22, 2026

From: Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Clovis, New Mexico

Attachment: Photos of Kenneth Carter and Juan Palomo Tarango 

CLOVIS, N.M. – The Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office recently secured prison sentences in two unrelated cases involving assaults on Clovis Police Department officers. Each defendant was convicted of Battery Upon a Peace Officer for incidents that occurred as officers responded to calls for service.

“Every day, our officers face unpredictable and dangerous situations to keep our communities safe,” said District Attorney Quentin Ray. “Whenever officers are attacked while performing their duties, we will hold those offenders accountable.”

On July 21, 2026, Kenneth Carter, 40 of Clovis, pleaded guilty to one count of Battery Upon a Peace Officer and was sentenced by District Court Judge Drew D. Tatum to 18 months in the New Mexico Department of Corrections. The charge arose from an April 3, 2026, domestic violence call, where Carter, who was intoxicated, struck Officer Clinton Cope as officers checked on the safety of family members inside the home. Even after his arrest, Carter remained combative, threatening officers and attempting to spit on them during transport and the booking process.

Earlier this month, Juan Palomo Tarango, 32, of Clovis pleaded guilty to four counts of Battery Upon a Peace Officer in two separate cases. He was sentenced to a total of 3 years in the New Mexico Department of Corrections by District Court Judge Fred Van Soelen. One case stemmed from a November 3, 2025, incident in which Tarango fled from responding officers, striking Officer Isabel Garcia during a foot pursuit and later headbutting Officer Daniel Torres while being placed in a patrol vehicle. On March 9, 2026, Tarango assaulted a woman and a 16-year-old juvenile before fleeing the scene. During his arrest and transport to the Curry County Adult Detention Center, Tarango became combative and battered additional law enforcement officers.

Both cases were prosecuted by Special Prosecutor, Brett Carter. Dallas Alfaro of the Law Office of the Public Defender represented the two defendants.

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