Federal Charges Following High-Speed Chase in New Mexico
A couple of US citizens are facing federal conspiracy charges after leading authorities on a high-speed chase through the New Mexico desert, reaching speeds of 140 mph, according to officials.
The dramatic pursuit kicked off around 6:20 AM Thursday when agents spotted a black Subaru on a route notorious for smuggling, located away from the US-Mexico border. Multiple Border Patrol vehicles, including all-terrain units and helicopters, joined the chase. Eventually, cars ran out of gas, and local residents became unsettled.
The driver, identified later as Michael Thomas Reigns, allegedly attempted to secure a passenger during the incident, as detailed in the criminal charges obtained.
Initially, Border Patrol agents spotted the speeding Subaru but lost track of it, prompting a call for backup. The vehicle was found abandoned near NM Highways 9 and 146 in Grant County.
Nearby, agents noticed a Mexican woman and a child by the fence, with reports suggesting the vehicle had been carjacked, while two additional Mexican nationals were encountered deeper in the desert.
Even after being taken to the Roseburg station, Reigns maintained that he left the driver’s seat simply because the passenger door was blocked. However, when an agent searched his phone with his consent, they discovered a message instructing him to “just go to Albuquerque” and requesting cash. Additionally, videos showed him firing a weapon and selling firearms through an app, according to the records.
Further investigation revealed that Reigns had previously served 13 years in prison for attempted murder. When pressed about his awareness of the illegal nature of his actions, he allegedly admitted that “people knew it was illegal” and he was in need of money. When asked about his speed during the chase, he reportedly responded with laughter, boasting that he wouldn’t have been caught if his vehicle hadn’t run out of gas.
Reigns now faces charges for conspiracy related to transporting an individual into the country illegally.
