A convicted felon who has had his probation revoked twice in the past couple of years was arrested Wednesday after a Las Cruces Police officer found him in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Christopher John Tiemann, 25, is charged with possession of a firearm or destructive device by a felon, a fourth-degree felony. Additional charges are still possible.
Shortly before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, a Las Cruces Police officer was flagged down by a Kmart employee in the store parking lot at 1240 El Paseo Rd.The loss prevention officer told police that he witnessed a man taking shoes and tools from the store without paying for the merchandise.
The LCPD officer confronted the man, later identified as Tiemann, as he entered a vehicle in the store’s parking lot. The officer quickly learned that there were two firearms in the back seat of the vehicle so she asked Tiemann and his passenger to exit the car.
Officers located a .22 caliber rifle and a 12 gauge shotgun in the vehicle and found a loaded .22 caliber magazine in Tiemann’s pants pocket. Detectives subsequently learned that Tiemann is a convicted felon and on probation for a 2010 larceny charge.
In New Mexico, anyone found guilty of a felony is not allowed to be in possession of a firearm for 10 years following their conviction.
Detectives also found out that Tiemann’s probation was revoked twice since Sept. 7, 2010, and each time he was given deferred sentences which allowed him to remain free. Tiemann is currently being held without bond at the Dona Ana CountyDetention Center.