Daniel Howard, 56, of Alamogordo, has been arrested after authorities discovered that Howard, on at least six occasions, recorded a mother and her 8 and 11-year-old daughters undressing in his bathroom after inviting them over to his house to use the hot tub.
Aside from the recordings, authorities also found nude images of the woman, several pornographic photos of children — unrelated to the bathroom recordings — on his computer.
Under new New Mexico court rules, Howard, who lives down the street from Buena Vista Elementary School, was released and FREE TO GO after the Arnold Foundation’s “Pretrial Risk Assessment” tool determined that he was not a danger to the community or a flight risk and therefore should not be subject to any accountable release – just a “promise” to appear.
Twelfth Judicial District Attorney John Sugg worries that Howard’s release puts children in danger. Sugg warns this is a statewide problem.
“More people like Dan Howard are being released every day,” Sugg said. “If people like this are allowed to be released then the definition of what is dangerous in New Mexico is wrong.” Suggs wants the New Mexico Supreme Court to reverse or revise the pretrial court rule immediately so defendants like Howard remain behind bars until trial.
New Mexico Bail Reform, Risk Assessments, and Pretrial Services…
- ZERO Accountability
- ZERO Deterrent
- ZERO Supervision
- ZERO concern for victims
- ZERO Bail…just a “pinky promise” to return
- Bail Reform – Dangerous, Reckless, and a Taxpayer Burden
Voyeurism suspect gets to live by elementary school
(report by KOB4 – Aug 25 2017)
An Alamogordo woman and her two daughters quickly learned their privacy was violated with prying eyes.
Court records reveal 56-year-old Daniel Howard frequently invited a woman and her 8- and 11-year old daughters to his hot tub on Highland Drive from March 2016 until May 2017. When the woman undressed in his bathroom, he allegedly recorded her. Alamogordo police believe he recorded her at least six times.
The woman discovered the camera last May and turned it over to police. Detectives not only found nude images of the woman, but several pornographic photos of children — unrelated to the bathroom recordings — on his computer.
Police also discovered photos of the woman’s panties and bedroom, which they believe Howard took when he had access to her home to feed her cats.
Under a New Mexico court rule that went into effect July 1, defendants deemed not dangerous can be released from pretrial dentition without posting bond. Howard will wear an ankle monitor and get to remain under house arrest until his trial. He lives just down the street from Buena Vista Elementary School.
Twelfth Judicial District Attorney John Sugg worries that Howard’s release puts children in danger. Sugg warns this is a statewide problem.
“More people like Dan Howard are being released every day,” Sugg said. “If people like this are allowed to be released then the definition of what is dangerous in New Mexico is wrong.”
The conditions of Howard’s release include not having access to the internet, the smart television or computer. The Howard family declined an interview with KOB-TV.
Suggs wants the New Mexico Supreme Court to reverse or revise the pretrial court rule immediately so defendants like Howard remain behind bars until trial.
“I think there needs to be a realistic expectation what the term dangerous means,” Suggs said.
In July, Sens. Richard Martinez, Bill Sharer, Craig Brandt and state Reps. Bill Rehm and Carl Trujillo partnered with the Bail Bonds Association of New Mexico to file a lawsuit against the New Mexico Supreme Court. The lawsuit says the new rule is unconstitutional and bail must be available under the Bill of Rights.
https://www.usbailreform.com/new-mexico-call-action-stop-reckless-release-violent-dangerous-offenders-email-legislators-elected-officials/