Former Mesilla Valley dispatcher faces federal charges for threatening Doña Ana County employees

Organ Mountain News report

ALBUQUERQUE - A former emergency dispatcher with the Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority is facing federal charges after allegedly making multiple terroristic threats against Doña Ana County facilities and employees earlier this year.

Jason Rivera, 53, of Las Cruces, appeared before a federal judge and was ordered to remain in custody pending a detention hearing that was scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 26.

According to court documents, Rivera posted threats on Facebook on April 11 and April 25, 2024, claiming there were explosives at MVRDA and issuing direct threats to specific employees. One post prompted a lockdown and bomb sweep by the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office after Rivera falsely claimed a bomb was on-site.

Further investigation revealed that Rivera registered a website titled “killdonaanacounty.org” and tagged county officials in threatening messages. The Facebook posts were traced to an IP address at his residence. After being taken into custody on April 25, Rivera admitted to using his public Facebook account to issue the threats.

Rivera worked at MVRDA for eight years until his resignation in September 2020, during which time he reportedly displayed troubling behavior, including harassment of coworkers. Following his departure, authorities say his actions escalated to threats against his former colleagues and their families.

If convicted, Rivera could face up to 10 years in prison for the charges.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda announced the charges on Monday, Nov. 18. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Las Cruces Resident Agency, with assistance from the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ry Ellison is prosecuting the case.