County Gets Help for Araujo's Office

County Gets Help for Araujo's Office
Floyd County Commissioners met, April 13, and discussed staffing the Justice of the Peace office in Lockney, after J.P. Michelle Araujo was suspended with pay from her position.
The State Commission on Judicial Conduct, on April 5, 2007, ordered that Araujo be suspended with pay from her office of Justice of the Peace and from the office of Municipal Court Judge for the City of Lockney, following charges being filed against Araujo for Official Oppression.
Because the County has to continue paying Araujo, Commissioners discussed "where the money was going to come from" to hire someone to take care of the office in Araujo's absence.
Commissioner Lennie Gilroy spoke to the Court about the problem being created from Araujo's absence.
"People are calling in to pay tickets," said Gilroy. "Some pay by the week, or month. People are concerned and want to take care of their business.
"We have to continue to pay Michelle's salary and we haven't budgeted the funds to pay 2 full salaries.
"I'd like to change the office recording and refer questions to J.P. Tali Jackson in Floydada and put new hours on the answering machine. Judge Jackson has agreed to help in any way possible.
"Michelle's secretary, Sandra Suarez, was paid for out of Michelle's budget. The budget covered the salary when Michelle was on vacation or in school and I think Michelle paid out of her own pocket for any other time."
Suarez told the court she made $7.00 an hour when she worked. She said Monday's were usually very busy at the office. When asked what days would be good for her to work, Suarez said she could work on Mondays and Wednesdays.
After looking through Araujo's budget, the Commissioners saw there was at least $1,600 left in extra labor and supplies.
After discussion the Commissioners decided to pay Suarez for two days a week--Monday and Wednesdays. When the money runs out for the budgeted "extra help", then Suarez would be paid out of the other line items in Araujo's budget.
Suarez will work in the J.P.'s office and collect money, enter payments in the computer, make deposits and monthly reports.
Local law enforcement have already started referring their tickets to the J.P. office in Floydada instead of Lockney.

Finally Suspended

Commission Suspends Michelle Araujo With Pay
By Alice Gilroy
The State Commission on Judicial Conduct, on April 5, 2007, ordered that Lockney J.P. Michelle Araujo be suspended with pay from the office of Justice of the Peace and from the office of Municipal Court Judge for the City of Lockney.
The Order of Suspension was made after the State Commission was presented with information on the misdemeanor charges of Official Oppression filed by Floyd County Attorney Lex Herrington against Araujo on March 23, 2007 in County Court.
The ruling by the Commission stated, "Having considered the information, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct concluded that the offense charged is a misdemeanor involving official misconduct, and determined that Michelle Araujo should be Suspended With Pay...and that such suspension should remain in effect until further orders of the Commission or an order of the court having competent jurisdiction over the offense charged."
The order was signed by the Honorable Michael R. Fields, Vice Chair of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
According to the Commission's Executive Director, Seana Willing, this order stands until the Official Oppression misdemeanor case is resolved by a "Guilty" or "Not Guilty" verdict in County Court, or Araujo is indicted by a Grand Jury on the Felony Charge of Aggravated Assault With a Deadly Weapon.
Araujo was arrested March 10, 2007 for allegedly shooting her husband, Romeo. The case has not been brought before Floyd County Grand Jurors yet.
"Araujo is entitled to her day in court," said Willing. "If she is indicted the Commission would reevaluate this Order."

New Info on Gun--

It seems the gun used to commit the crime is registered not to her nor to her mother as I had predicted...it's registered to none other that the boys in blue in the next county. The gun belongs to the Plainview Police Dept, which her mother is gainfully employed as a secretary. I don't think weapons are currently issued to secretaries for recreational use or to loan out family members to commit crimes. Looks like mother/daughter might end up being bunk mates.

Stay tuned.

Update--I talked to the Texas Ranger myself and he stated that the gun was sold by an officer back in 93 and resold several times after that.

Another Misdemeanor Charge

Araujo Faces Another Misdemeanor Charge
Lockney Justice of the Peace, Michelle Araujo, is now facing another Class A Misdemeanor Charge.
March 23, in County Court, Araujo was charged with Official Oppression (Texas Penal Code 39.03).
County Attorney Lex Herrington filed the complaint based on an affidavit filed by Sheriff Paul Raissez.
According to the affidavit, Floyd County Justice of the Peace of Pct. 2 & 3, "acting under the color of her office and employment, did intentionally deny or impede (name withheld) in the exercise and enjoyment of her right or privilege or power or immunity, to wit: her right to free speech and right to travel.."
The complainant in this case (whose name is being withheld because of fear of reprisal) told The Hesperian-Beacon she had received a threatening phone call from Araujo a few days before Michelle Araujo allegedly shot her husband, Romeo Araujo.
The complainant said, "She (Michelle Araujo) told me she had the authority to do whatever she wanted to do with me... and that she could make my life miserable."

New Misdemeanor Charge

Michelle Araujo Charged with Selling Alcohol to a Minor at Her Liquor Store
Legal problems are mounting for Lockney J.P. Michelle Araujo after Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission filed a complaint, March 16, against Araujo in Briscoe County for selling alcohol to a minor. Araujo was also arrested last week, March 10, with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon after she shot her husband, Romeo Araujo several times in the abdomen area.
Selling Alcohol to a minor is a Class A Misdemeanor that is punishable with confinement in jail for not longer than 1 year, and, or, a fine not to exceed $4,000.
A person convicted of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon could be sentenced to 2-20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Besides her duties as Justice of the Peace and Lockney City Judge, Michelle Araujo works at Bruskie's Liquor, located in Briscoe County on Hwy. 378. Michelle and her husband, Romeo, both own the liquor store.
The TABC complaint filed in the Briscoe County Attorney Emily Roy's office, by TABC Officer James A. Martin, stated that Martin observed Michelle Araujo selling a six pack of Coors Light to a 17 year old female.
The Complaint stated the TABC was conducting an investigation into the selling of alcohol to minors with a "minor sting operation."
In a sting of this type a minor will enter the store and, under the watchful eye of a TABC officer, attempt to buy alcohol.
According to TABC, minors are not allowed to misrepresent themselves with fake identification and are not allowed to dress in such a way as to appear older.
In the Complaint, Officer Martin stated, "The minor had a valid Texas License with the birth date of 11/24/89 and did not look older than her age.
"I entered the store before the minor, so that I could observe the attempted purchase of alcohol....The minor took a six pack of Coors Light to the counter. The clerk (later identified as Michelle Araujo) asked the minor for proof of age and the minor showed the clerk her driver's license. The clerk allowed the minor to purchase the beer."
This is the 2nd complaint of selling to a minor, filed by TABC, against Bruskie's within a year. The other complaint was against a different clerk working at the store.

Lockney J.P./Judge Shoots Husband

Lockney J.P. Arrested for
Shooting Husband

MICHELLE ARAUJO
By Alice Gilroy
Lockney Justice of the Peace Michelle Araujo, 33, was arrested Saturday, March 10, for allegedly shooting her husband, Romeo Araujo, 39. She was brought before Judge Penny Golightly at approximately 3:15 p.m. Saturday, and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Because Araujo is an elected official, the Floyd County Sheriff's Office turned the investigation over to the Texas Rangers. Ranger Marshall Thomas is handling the investigation.
Only a few details of the shooting are available for publication because of the ongoing investigation.
According to Law Enforcement authorities, the Floyd County Sheriff's Department was notified by W.J. Mangold Memorial Hospital that a shooting victim had been brought to the hospital by private vehicle.
Mr. Araujo was then taken by helicopter to UMC Hospital in Lubbock where he underwent surgery for multiple gunshot wounds to the abdomen area.
Mr. Araujo was able to give a statement to authorities and Michelle was later arrested at home after law enforcement spoke to a witness.
The shooting allegedly took place at the Araujo's home, approximately 7 miles north of Lockney on FM 378.
According to District Attorney Becky McPherson the charge of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon is a 2nd Degree Felony. "This is the same degree as attempted murder and from the initial investigation we know she intended to shoot him but we need further investigation to determine if she was trying to kill him."
A person convicted of a 2nd Degree Felony can be sentenced to 2-20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
After arraignment, Michelle Araujo immediately bonded out on a $25,000 bond set by Judge Golightly. Usually a bondsman requires 15% of the bond.
According to McPherson, Randall County District Attorney James Farren will present this case to the Floyd County Grand Jury.
"It will go before a Grand Jury," said McPherson.
Michelle Araujo also serves as the City Judge of Lockney.
She was appointed Justice of the Peace in October 1999, by the Floyd County Commissioners. She was then elected and has served in that capacity since then.
She is the daughter of Robert and Libby Delgado, of Lockney. She graduated Lockney High School in 1992, and attended Ranger Junior College for one year on a track scholarship.
She then transferred to South Plains College in Levelland and received her Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. She then attended Texas Tech and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Spanish and Business Management.
The Araujos have been married for 14 years and have 4 children.
Romeo is the son of Angel and Emma Araujo, of Lockney. He is a farmer. He is currently listed in stable condition.

CAN ARAUJO CONTINUE TO SERVE?
Many questions have been posed on the legality of Araujo serving as Justice of the Peace after being charged with a felony.
According to District Attorney Becky McPherson, "According to Art. 16, Section 2, an elected official would be automatically removed from office if convicted of a felony. The arrest itself is not grounds for an automatic removal."
However, the County Attorney of a County, can initiate a removal suit of an elected official based on certain criteria.
Two citizens can also bring a petition for removal of an elected official to a County Attorney. However the decision to move forward with the petition would ultimately be up to the County Attorney.
When questioned on the grounds or procedures to remove an elected official, Floyd County Attorney Lex Herrington said, "I've never had any cause to research that. I don't know what the grounds are to remove an elected official and I have no idea where to find it right now."
The grounds for removal can be found in Chapter 87 of the Local Government Code.
The code states an elected official can be removed for incompetency, official misconduct, or intoxication caused by drinking alcoholic beverage.