BY: ABQ RAW Staff
POSTED: 08/18/2023 @ 7:00PM
SE Albuquerque –
On August 18th, 2023, in Albuquerque’s International War Zone District, Albuquerque Police Department detectives attempted to arrest Richard Abeyta, 65, of Albuquerque, who was wanted for human trafficking, criminal sexual penetration, criminal sexual contact of a minor and false imprisonment.
When Abeyta saw police he ran into his home at 600 Mesilla Ave SE and barricaded himself which prompted a full SWAT call out. Albuquerque Police and New Mexico State Police SWAT units arrived on scene. Officers conducted a near 3 hour standoff, in which the SWAT team could be heard making public address announcements and urging Abeyta for a peaceful surrender. After a stalemate during the long process, SWAT finally threw a diversionary device AKA “flash bang” and they moved their tactical equipment into place to apprehend Abeyta.
Abeyta finally exited the home in a very disheveled looking mess wearing a tank top, grey shorts, and coke bottle eyeglasses. The SWAT team peacefully took Abeyta into custody.
Abeyta is accused of abusing his 7-year-old step-granddaughter, as well as being accused of commercial sex trafficking. The sex trafficking charge stems from him being accused of selling the 7-year-old girl on Facebook Live for sex acts.
Abeyta is being transported to the Metropolitan Detention Center on these charges and will have a pre-trial hearing in the coming days.