STATE
AG arrests landowner accused of threatening fishermen on Pecos River
A Pecos-area property owner was arrested on aggravated assault charges amid a long-running dispute over public river access.
PECOS 鈥� New Mexico Attorney General Ra煤l Torrez on Monday announced the arrest of a private landowner accused of threatening fishermen with firearms while they were legally recreating on the Pecos River.
Erik Michael Briones was arrested on five counts of aggravated assault stemming from allegations that he repeatedly threatened individuals fishing in public waters near his property between April 2023 and March 2026.
According to a criminal complaint and affidavit filed in San Miguel Magistrate Court, Briones is accused of brandishing firearms, threatening to begin 鈥渢arget practicing鈥� near fishermen and making statements that caused several victims to fear they were about to be shot.
The charges are tied to multiple incidents involving separate victims who reported hostile encounters with Briones while fishing in or near the river. Investigators gathered witness statements, video footage and photographs and conducted photo array identifications before obtaining an arrest warrant, authorities said.
鈥淭hese allegations involve dangerous and unlawful intimidation directed at New Mexicans who were exercising their legal right to access and recreate in public waters,鈥� Torrez said in a statement. 鈥淣o one has the right to threaten violence against members of the public because they disagree with established law. Our office will continue enforcing both the criminal laws of this state and the public access protections guaranteed under New Mexico law.鈥�
The arrest follows years of litigation over public access to the Pecos River. The New Mexico Department of Justice previously prevailed in a civil case affirming that the public may legally recreate in public waters, even where those waters flow alongside private property. The ruling was later upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.
Last month, a court granted the state's motion to hold Briones in contempt in the related civil case, finding continued violations connected to public access protections and court orders governing use of the river.
The New Mexico Department of Justice also released video footage referenced in the criminal investigation. Authorities said the video allegedly shows Briones threatening fishermen and stating that he would use them as 鈥渢arget practice.鈥�
Briones' attorney was not immediately identified, and it was not clear whether he had entered a plea. Court records did not immediately indicate a hearing date.
