A New Mexico high school baseball player faces criminal charges and his team’s season is canceled after allegedly urinating in an opponent’s water jug, causing multiple players to drink the contaminated water.
At a Glance
- A 16-year-old Rio Rancho High School baseball player was arrested for allegedly urinating in La Cueva High School’s water jug during a March 25 game
- The player faces 15 counts of battery as multiple La Cueva players may have consumed the contaminated water
- Rio Rancho’s entire junior varsity baseball team has been suspended for the remainder of the season
- Authorities in Rio Rancho filed criminal charges following an investigation prompted by rumors in the La Cueva community
- Both school districts have condemned the behavior as unacceptable and promised severe consequences
Criminal Charges and Team Suspension
A 16-year-old junior varsity baseball player from Rio Rancho High School is facing serious legal consequences after allegedly contaminating the opposing team’s water supply. The teenager has been charged with 15 counts of battery following allegations that he urinated into a water jug belonging to La Cueva High School during their March 25 game. The charges reflect the number of La Cueva players who potentially consumed the tainted water, according to police reports from the incident that has shocked the New Mexico high school sports community.
The aftermath has been swift and severe. Officials from Rio Rancho Public Schools announced the suspension of the entire junior varsity baseball team for the remainder of the season. The Rio Rancho Police Department launched an investigation after rumors began circulating within the La Cueva High School community about the alleged incident. The contaminated water jug was secured as evidence, and authorities proceeded with filing formal charges against the student athlete.
School Districts Respond
Albuquerque Public Schools, which oversees La Cueva High School, issued a strong statement condemning the incident. “We’re glad authorities in Rio Rancho took this matter seriously and filed criminal charges. Outrageous behavior like this must be met with swift consequences to send the message that it’s unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the district stated. Officials also emphasized that they are providing additional resources and support to the affected La Cueva players following the disturbing incident.
Rio Rancho Public Schools has similarly distanced itself from the alleged behavior. Wyndham Kemsley, the district’s interim executive communications director, emphasized that the actions do not reflect the values of their educational community. “We want to make it clear that the alleged behavior is abhorrent and does not represent the standards and values expected of all students who attend Rio Rancho Public Schools,” Kemsley stated, underscoring the district’s commitment to sportsmanship and respect.
Not the First Incident in New Mexico
Unfortunately, this is not the first incident of its kind in New Mexico sports. Last year, New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia was involved in a similar controversy when he was filmed urinating on the University of New Mexico’s practice field logo. Following public backlash, Pavia issued an apology to his team, stating that the incident had been “a big distraction.” He has since transferred to Vanderbilt University, leaving behind the controversy that temporarily overshadowed his athletic accomplishments.
“When the thing happened, it was a big distraction to the team, so I apologized to the team. After that, I feel like we got even closer as a group and ever since we’ve been on a roll and playing really good football.”, said Diego Pavia.
The current case involving the Rio Rancho student appears to be significantly more serious, as it potentially affected the health and safety of opposing players. Both school districts have emphasized that such behavior violates not just the rules of sportsmanship but also basic standards of human decency. As the legal process unfolds, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of character development in youth sports programs and the serious consequences that can result when boundaries of respectful competition are crossed.
