Deming, New Mexico – Following an explosion at Deming’s probation office on Jan. 22, law enforcement is still searching for a suspect responsible for setting the bomb and a second device found at the scene. However, in the aftermath of the incident, two Deming residents are facing charges in separate jurisdictions that may be connected to the events of that day.
The explosion, which occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Monday, prompted a response from the Deming police. Law enforcement located a second explosive device at the adult probation and corrections office. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident resulted in the closure of Deming’s magistrate and district courthouses, a half-day closure of nearby Luna County offices, and heightened security measures at local schools.
One of the residents, 40-year-old Lindsi Zumwalt, has been charged with aggravated fleeing from law enforcement without causing great bodily harm. She is accused of being the driver of a vehicle that caught the attention of police on the day of the explosion. According to state police, she eluded a traffic stop and fled from officers, leading to a pursuit through city streets before being stopped by law enforcement.
On the other hand, 41-year-old Chloe Lucero is facing a charge of making interstate threats, as stated in a federal complaint filed on Jan. 23. The complaint alleges that Lucero had sent emails to government offices threatening to bomb government buildings and develop chemical weapons and high explosives.
The federal complaint does not directly link Lucero to the explosion in Deming, but authorities are currently investigating the possible connection. In addition to the federal charge, Lucero was recently charged in Luna County with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
The FBI has taken over the investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. Defense attorneys representing Zumwalt and Lucero also declined to comment on the pending litigation.
At this point, both defendants, Zumwalt and Lucero, are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty under the law. The authorities continue to investigate the case in order to bring justice to the community of Deming.