Clovis, NM – Attorney, Andrea Reeb, announced that on July 19, 2021, Michael Padilla, age 38, of Clovis, was sentenced to nine and one half (9 ½) years in the Department of Corrections for Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer, Reckless Driving and a variety of traffic offences. The case stems from an incident on January 25, 2021 where Padilla led Clovis Police Officers on a reckless 30 minute chase through residential neighborhoods in Clovis.
Clovis Officers saw Padilla’s SUV dropping tools on the roadway. They attempted to make a traffic stop. What should have been a routine action quickly escalated as Padilla, with a passenger in the vehicle, refused to stop and began to dart in and out of on coming traffic. Padilla refused to stop until the engine of his maroon SUV finally gave out. Padilla then ran from the scene and had to be subdued by a taser before he would finally submit to the officers. Padilla, a defendant with a long history of criminal convictions, chose to represent himself at the trial.
The trial, held at the Curry County Courthouse on July 16, 2021, had significance beyond the criminal actions of the defendant. The proceeding also marked the final trial for retiring District Judge, Matthew Chandler. The Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office was represented by Assistant District Attorney, Gina Nunez.
For more information, please contact the Office of the District Attorney, at 575-769-2246.
