Ohio murder suspect linked to Officer Chavez’s alleged killer facing drug charges in NM

James Nelson, one of three men inside the car at the time Hatch Police Officer Jose Chavez was fatally gunned down, made his first appearance in court Thursday.

Nelson, already wanted for allegedly killing a man in Ohio, is now facing one count of Trafficking by Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, a second degree felony. Nelson is also charged with Distribution of Marijuana and Possession of drug Paraphernalia, a fourth degree felony.

Nelson is facing drug charges because investigators found meth in the area he was sitting in while riding as a passenger in a Lexus driven by Jesse Hanes, the man who allegedly shot and killed officer Jose Chavez.

Judge Fernando Macias set Nelson’s bond at $100,000 secured.

Two heavily armed detention officers escorted Nelson into the courtroom and he did not say much during the hearing, which lasted about 15 minutes. Nelson kept his head slightly tilted down and remained very soft spoken.

Defense Attorney Amanda Skinner told the judge his charges were solely drug related and had nothing to do with the death of officer Jose Chavez. Nelson acknowledged before the judge that he understood his rights and charges.

Skinner said authorities in Ohio have until September 15 to take custody of the murder suspect. “The state filed an extradition manner involving Mr. Nelson and on Monday August 15 he did wave extradition to Ohio,” Skinner said.

Hanes is now in federal custody. A sheriff’s spokeswoman told ABC-7 Hanes was released late Wedneday afternoon from University Medical Center in El Paso.

According to court documents, Hanes shot himself in the thigh shortly after killing Officer Chavez. A court hearing for Hanes has not been set.