NM sheriff quietly quit days before election win
CARRIZOZO, N.M. (AP) -- A New Mexico sheriff plans to serve in office after being sworn in even though he quietly resigned just days before winning re-election, administrators said.

But the challenger to former - and probably future - Lincoln County Sheriff Rick Virden, a Republican, questioned the timing of the resignation and suggested county officials colluded to hide the news.

"He resigns on Oct. 31, but they don't tell the citizens about it until after the election. Why?" asked independent candidate Steve Sederwall.

Former Undersheriff Patrick O'Brien has been appointed interim sheriff.

Virden, a first-term sheriff, did not return telephone messages seeking comment. He cited a desire "to allow quality time with his family" in his resignation letter, said County Manager Tom Stewart.

"He's kind of burned out," Stewart said. "It was a nasty election."

Virden was re-elected Tuesday with 73 percent of the vote over Sederwall, a former deputy who made the ballot in September after the state Supreme Court ruled in his favor on a challenge involving nominating petitions.

Sederwall also challenged Virden's residency, saying he listed an out-of-county address on his candidacy declaration but maintains another address in Lincoln County for tax purposes.

Sederwall's attorney, Timothy Rose, wrote to Attorney General Gary King this week, saying the ambiguity about Virden's residence is unlawful.

Lynn Southard, a spokeswoman for King, said the attorney general's civil division has referred the matter to the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy for review.

Man charged in smuggling attempt that left 4 dead
PHOENIX (AP) -- An Arizona man has been indicted on federal charges accusing him of participating in a smuggling scheme that resulted in the deaths of four illegal immigrants.

Friday's indictment says Juan Moreno Gonzalez of Eloy was the driver of a van carrying about 20 illegal immigrants when it was being pursued by police on Oct. 26.

Some of the people inside the van jumped into an irrigation canal to escape authorities. Four of them drowned.

The indictment charges Moreno with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, transporting illegal aliens and transporting illegal aliens resulting in death.

Moreno's attorney, Eugene Marquez, said his client will plead not guilty.

Moreno could face life in prison or a death sentence.

Ariz. boy accused in slayings to appear in court
ST. JOHNS, Ariz. (AP) -- An 8-year-old boy is due in court Monday to face two counts of premeditated murder in the shooting death of his father and a friend, a hearing on the same day mourners were to gather for a funeral.

Police say the boy, a third-grader, confessed to planning and carrying out the shooting deaths of his father, Vincent Romero, 29, and a co-worker who rented a room from him. The men were found dead inside Romero's home northeast of Phoenix on Wednesday.

Authorities had no motive for the shootings.

"That's what's puzzling to us," Police Chief Roy Melnick said Monday on NBC's "Today" show. "There's no record of any problems in school, no reported abuse."

Romero came from a family of hunters and wanted to make sure the boy wasn't afraid of guns, said the Very Rev. John Paul Sauter of St. Johns Catholic Church. He said the father taught his son how to use a rifle to kill prairie dogs.

Police say the boy used a .22-caliber rifle to kill his father and the other man, Timothy Romans, 39, of San Carlos.

St. Johns police are hoping a judge will agree to try the boy as an adult but admit it's unlikely.

The boy's attorney says police questioned his client without representation from a parent or attorney and didn't advise the child of his rights.

The killings took place in the St. Johns, a town of about 4,000 people some 170 miles northeast of Phoenix.

Romero was well-liked and people here are likely turn out in droves for his funeral.

"Everybody here is heart-broken," Melnick said. "We are a close-knit community. A lot of friends and neighbors have pulled together."

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