LAS CRUCES – A Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners meeting was interrupted Tuesday as protests over the proposed Project Jupiter data center in Santa Teresa escalated, leading to three arrests and a brief confrontation in front of the commissioners’ dais.
The meeting included public comment on Project Jupiter, a proposed data center development that has drawn both support and opposition. Supporters cited construction jobs, economic opportunity and tax revenue, while opponents raised concerns about water use, power demand, air emissions and the project’s broader environmental effects.
County commissioners ended public comment after a scheduled group of speakers had been heard. Several people who opposed the project continued calling out, saying they had not been given an opportunity to address the commission.
Commission Chairman Manuel Sanchez warned attendees that continued interruptions could result in their removal from the meeting. The confrontation that followed delayed the meeting as sheriff’s deputies and security personnel escorted several people from the room.
Video circulating from the meeting shows a woman falling during the confrontation in front of the dais. Reports identified her as 26-year-old Abegail Salug-Sugan. The available video does not clearly establish what caused the initial fall.
According to jail records reported by area media, Salug-Sugan was arrested on charges of resisting or obstructing and disorderly conduct. Orin Parnell, 50, was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge. Kiki Garden, 33, was arrested on charges of resisting or obstructing and disorderly conduct.
All persons mentioned are innocent until possibly found guilty by a court.
Following the disruption, the commissioners continued with their agenda, including a presentation by Project Jupiter representatives. The company has said the project would bring jobs and economic investment to the region. Opponents said they remain concerned about the potential effects on local water supplies, air quality and other resources.
During the same meeting, commissioners appointed three joint acting county managers to oversee county operations during an administrative transition. Deb Weir, Lucio Luttrell and Stephen Lopez will share the acting county manager responsibilities while the commission considers its next steps for permanent leadership.
The appointments follow the commission’s recent decision to terminate former County Manager Scott Andrews’ employment contract.
John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications News – John@bravomic.com
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