GRANTS, NM - New Mexico State Police arrested one of their own officers, Isaiah Cheromiah of Laguna Pueblo, for Criminal Sexual Penetration, Criminal Sexual Contact, and Giving Alcoholic Beverages to a Minor. At the time of the alleged crimes, Cheromiah was a Grants Police Officer.
On May 8, an unnamed servicewoman in the National Guard came forward to NMSP officers in Gallup, New Mexico, alleging that she was assaulted by in July 2022 by an officer they had recently hired.
The unnamed servicewoman woman claimed that while she served together in the National Guard, she and Cheromiah would hang out and drink alcohol even when she was under legal drinking age. The servicewoman alleges after a night of drinking together, she fell asleep which is when Cheromiah assaulted her. An NMSP report states that the assault happened sometime in July of 2022.
The unnamed woman identified Cheromiah, 30 years old, as having assaulted her last year. At the time, Cheromiah was an active Grants Police Department officer.
In November, Cheromiah was hired by NMSP. The state law enforcement agency acted quickly to place Cheromiah on administrative leave, launch an investigation, and arrest him. Cheromiah was arrested at the NMSP office in Milan, New Mexico, and booked into the Cibola County Correctional Center on Friday.
State Police Chief Tim Johnson released a statement, saying, ““I am deeply disturbed to learn that one of our officers has been arrested for sexual assault. The behavior displayed by this individual is completely contrary to the values and integrity that define a New Mexico State Police officer. We take immense pride in upholding the highest standards, and any breach of public trust is entirely unacceptable.” He continued, “We stand strong in our commitment to preserving the untarnished reputation of the Black and Gray uniform worn by over 650 dedicated men and women. As a department we stand firm against any officer violating our oath, so we took immediate action to ensure accountability. We are fully committed to safeguarding the public’s trust and fostering unwavering confidence in the New Mexico State Police.”
In response to the allegation against Cheromiah, Grants Police Chief Maxine Monte and Grants Police Department released the following statement:
On June 9, 2023, The New Mexico State Police notified Grants Police Department that former Officer Isaiah Cheromiah was arrested on Criminal Sexual Penetration, Criminal Sexual Contact and Giving Alcoholic Beverages to a minor.
Isaiah Cheromiah was hired June of 2022 and his last date of employment with the Grants Police Department was on November 11, 2022. Isaiah Cheromiah then went on to work for the New Mexico State Police.
This alleged conduct not only tarnishes the badge of every law enforcement officer, but it also damages the trust built between the citizens and officers that are have taken an oath to protect.
Violation of the law or disregard for public safety on the part of an officer are intrinsically wrong. If the law is to be honored, it must first be honored by those who enforce it. The Grants Police Department demands the highest degree of integrity and professionalism for all its employees.