Arrests Made In San Juan County Livestock Shootings

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) – Three men were arrested on charges of animal cruelty, injury to livestock and shooting from a motor vehicle after 10 animals were killed on a family farm south of Bloomfield.

Twenty-nine-year-old Thomas Obiedo turned himself in yesterday after learning San Juan County sheriff’s deputies had searched his house and impounded his vehicle. Also arrested were 23-year-old Derek Witt and 30-year-old Dale McDaniel.

Investigators believe Obiedo used a .22-caliber rifle to shoot and kill 10 animals belonging to brothers Andrew and Gilbert Benally, who live with their families on three acres. Authorities say a videotape taken by Gilbert Benally was instrumental in identifying the suspects. The Benallys buried their animals Tuesday in a mass grave.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)