Serving the High Plains

Tucumcari man accused in sex assault case

A Tucumcari man was booked into the county jail after being accused of four felonies, including sexual assault and aggravated assault.

Lamar Eugene French, 31, was booked Sept. 27 into the Quay County Detention Center after being arrested on a warrant. According to online court records, French was charged with second-degree criminal sexual penetration that resulted in a personal injury, aggravated battery that caused or likely would case great bodily harm, tampering with evidence and false imprisonment with intent to commit a sexual offense.

The sexual-penetration count is a second-degree felony that could lead to up to nine years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The battery and tampering counts are third-degree felonies that could lead up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The false imprisonment count is a fourth-degree felony can lead up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

The complaint states the offenses occurred on or about June 26 or 27 with a female victim. Agent Justin Tiemann of New Mexico State Police investigated the allegations.

The tampering count accuses French of deleting or destroying communications between him and the alleged victim and trying to conceal her clothing in the trunk of a vehicle, according to the complaint.

The initial complaint was filed Sept. 20 in Tucumcari magistrate court and was transferred to district court Oct. 1.

French remained in custody at the county lockup this week before press start. Public defender Michael Aragon was listed as his attorney; he was not available for comment Monday.