News Flash

An arrest warrant was issued May 25 for a Roswell man who allegedly conspired with another local man to plan and carry out the December 2014 murder of Joe Anthony Garza of Roswell.

Roswell Police Department investigators are asking for the public’s help in providing information that could help locate Frank Anthony Montoya, 20, who is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

An officer responding to a 911 call Dec. 14, 2014, about 5:30 p.m. found Garza in the street near the intersection of East Tilden Street and South Mulberry Avenue. Garza, 32, who had been riding his bike at the time, was shot multiple times. He died at the scene. Witnesses saw a vehicle leaving the scene following the shooting. Investigators believe Garza was shot in retaliation for a fight that previously took place involving him and the two suspects.

Montoya’s alleged co-conspirator in the case, Louie Joseph Archuleta, now 21, was arrested in August 2015 on the same charges Montoya now faces. Archuleta remains in custody at the Chaves County Detention Center as we awaits a July 18 trial in this case.

Montoya was also arrested in August 2015 on the murder and conspiracy charges in connection with this case, but a Magistrate Court judge in September 2015 ruled there was insufficient probable cause at that time for the case to be sent to District Court for trial. The investigation was then continued, resulting in additional information being gathered and a new arrest warrant being issued.

Anyone with potential information about the whereabouts of Frank Anthony Montoya, or any other information regarding this case, is asked to call the Roswell Police Department at (575) 624-6770.