Stabbing victim found, testifies

A Tucumcari man police say disappeared after he was stabbed Jan. 9 has been located and has given taped testimony against his attackers, officials said.

Dustin Raines left an Amarillo hospital sometime in mid-January without notifying the Quay County District Attorney’s office and could not be found until Feb. 8, Chief Deputy District Attorney Donald Schutte said.

“He was at his dad’s house in Mississippi,” Schutte said.
“He is still recovering. The wound to his stomach is pretty significant.”

Frank Salas Jr. and Frutoso Gallegos, who are awaiting arraignment and trials in the Quay County Detention Center, are charged with attempted murder, armed robbery, assault with intent to commit a violent felony, aggravated battery, conspiracy, intimidation of a witness and tampering with evidence, according to court documents.

Bond has been set for each at $200,000.

Two other men arrested in connection with the stabbing, Vince Molinas and Andrew Gutierrez, have been released on $50,000 bond. They face charges of conspiracy and tampering with evidence, Schutte said.

Raines gave taped testimony at a preliminary hearing Feb. 17 and his alleged assailants will be arraigned in 10th Judicial District Court by the end of March, Schutte said.
The district attorney’s office will argue that the stabbing occurred at Gallegos’ residence at 318 E. Turner, Schutte said.

Gallegos, who Schutte said fled the crime scene before police arrived, was arrested in Amarillo on Jan. 24, according to court records.

None of the defendants or their attorneys could be reached for comment as of press time.