Authorities in New Mexico are intensifying their efforts to locate a man from Rio Arriba County who has been missing for over a month. Joel “Deano” Valdez, a 36-year-old journeyman lineman, has not been seen since September 18, when he was returning from a work assignment in Silver City.
The last confirmed sighting of Valdez was at an Allsup’s convenience store on Cerrillos Road, as reported by the Santa Fe New Mexican. Family members recount that Valdez departed Silver City around noon that day, intending to return to his home in Coyote, where he resides with his wife, Vikki Valdez, and their three children.
Evidence from a credit card statement suggests that Valdez made a stop at the convenience store at approximately 5:30 p.m. on September 18. He also made a cash withdrawal from a Wells Fargo ATM around the same time. According to his family, Valdez typically carried cash, making this action appear routine.
However, subsequent activities raised concerns. Family members noted unusual transactions on his debit card the following day, September 19, at a gas station in Santa Fe. By September 20, the card had been used for a car wash and at a retail store, which they believe might not have been authorized by Valdez.
He also withdrew money from a Wells Fargo ATM around the same time. Family members reportedly said that Valdez is known to keep cash on him and the withdrawal was typical behavior.
Unusual behavior reportedly followed, with the family saying there were some potentially unauthorized charges on his debit card on September 19 at a gas station in Santa Fe. The following day, someone used the card for a car wash and a retail store.
On September 21, someone attempted to use the card three times, but the charges didn’t go through, since Valdez’s wife had canceled the card and filed a missing persons report.
“His wife had traveled to Santa Fe to look for him the days before,” Valdez’s cousin, Monique Garcia, said, according to NBC News. “She decided to call state police at that point and make the report.”
KOB4 reports that the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) is currently investigating this disappearance and the possible unauthorized charges.
A reported sighting of Valdez’s pickup truck, described as a white 2015 Chevrolet Silverado Duramax 2500 CRW 4×4 LT, extended the search into search to central New Mexico.
The truck’s New Mexico license plate is 248-THP.
“It’s word of mouth,” Garcia said. “There’s license plate readers along the highway. We don’t know exactly where it was located, but we understood it to be going and coming to Santa Fe.”
Meanwhile, national nonprofit, Angels’ Voices Silenced No More, told CrimeOnline in an emailed statement that a grant of $5,000 has been added to the family’s reward fund, in an effort to obtain information that can help locate Valdez.
“Let’s keep the pressure on and continue to really gather together and try and find him. Without answers, it’s just leaving an open wound, unhealed, and it’s really hard for us,” Garcia told KOB4.
Valdez is described as standing 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs around 170 pounds. He has brown hair, brown eyes, and is known to wear works boots, a t-shirt, and jeans.
Anyone with information should the New Mexico State Police. You can also contact Monique Garcia at 505-362-4738.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Family Handout]
