NEWS
Couple dies by suicide during standoff with US marshals in Deming, police say
New Mexico State Police says sex crimes suspects were found with self-inflicted gunshot wounds
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A man and woman accused in a variety of sex crimes involving children allegedly killed themselves Thursday morning during a standoff at a home in Deming.
New Mexico State Police said Joseph McDowell, 44, and Cassondra Sauber, 42, were found 鈥渨ith what appears to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds.鈥�
Officer Wilson Silver, a State Police spokesperson, said a deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service fired at McDowell, who had armed himself, but authorities didn鈥檛 believe anyone had been struck by the deputy鈥檚 gunfire.
鈥淣o officers or deputies were injured during this incident,鈥� Silver said.
Silver said the two were wanted on nationwide extradition warrants.
McDowell, he said, is charged with child molestation and exploitation, possession of child sexual abuse material, unlawful possession of a firearm, battery and strangulation. Silver said Sauber was accused of 鈥渃hild molestation.鈥�
Charging documents for McDowell and Sauber were not available in state or federal court records.
Silver said deputies with the U.S. Marshals spotted McDowell and Sauber at 309 West Pine in Deming and 鈥渂reached the door to make entry into the residence.鈥�
鈥淢cDowell armed himself with a rifle and held it in a firing position as he attempted to close the door,鈥� he said. 鈥淎t least one deputy discharged their duty rifle towards McDowell.鈥�
Silver said the pair holed up inside the residence, and deputies called for them to 鈥渟urrender peacefully.鈥�
鈥淎fter no response, a drone and robot were sent inside the residence. McDowell and Sauber were located deceased with what appears to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds,鈥� he said.
State Police is investigating the incident.
Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.
