New Mexico Mobile Newsroom obtains 911 calls for La Mesa Arson, aggravated assault
ABC-7 obtained 911 calls neighbors made the day 2-year-old Ethan was taken from his home in Las Mesa, prompting authorities to issue an Amber Alert.
Ethan was found safe Monday night in Anthony, N.M. But it wasn’t until Tuesday afternoon, Ethan’s father, Sergio Jacquez, turned himself in.
Jacquez allegedly showed up to Ethan’s grandparents house and asked to take the boy. When they wouldn’t hand him over, Jacquez is accused of punching Ethan’s grandfather, Carlos Jurado, knocking him unconscious. The 23-year-old Jacquez then allegedly doused the home with gasoline and set it on fire, before allegedly stealing Jurado’s truck and speeding off with the toddler.
In a 911 call made that day, a neighbor tells dispatch he witnessed Jacquez taking off with the child.
“He was driving extremely dangerous and I guess had the little (boy) with him,” the neighbor said. “(He) was just in his lap. And he crashed into his dad when he was leaving. When he was speeding out of the house he crashed head on. The little boy was in the vehicle when they crashed. He was just kind of hugging him and driving.”
Another neighbor called dispatch concerned that emergency crews were lost.
“I believe they’re already on scene, ma’m,” the dispatcher said.
“No they’re not, because we live on this road and we saw the fire truck get out of the fire department but he seems to have gotten lost,” the neighbor said.
The neighbor later told dispatch that she saw the ambulance arrive to the burning home.
According to the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, Jacquez has been charged with arson (over $20,000), aggravated burglary, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, abuse of a child and battery.
Jacquez’s attorney told ABC-7 her client acted in self-defense.
“When I was talking to (Jacquez) Tuesday, he had a bruise on his temple. I just happened to notice it. Not a big one, but then I realized his story of being attacked before he fought back had some credibility,” said Kelly O’Connell, Jacquez’s defense attorney. “I don’t even think he knew, but there was some physical evidence he had been struck first that’s his story”
O’Connell also hinted at the possibility her client was set up. “It was a bit of a trap, that’s our theory. I don’t know if we can prove that, but the events that happened just kind of overwhelmed him and then he kind of lashed out at them. He’s not a person with a record. He’s not a violent person in general,” O’Connell said.
