Federal charges filed in Eddy County deputy shooting
ALBUQUERQUE / Thursday, February 26, 2026 – A Carlsbad man is facing federal charges after allegedly firing a rifle at an Eddy County Sheriff’s Office deputy responding to a call.
According to court records, on October 19, 2025, an Eddy County Sheriff’s Office deputy was dispatched to the area of McKittrick and Hidalgo Road in Carlsbad, New Mexico, after a witness reported that Dustin Alan Henley, 35, was standing outside a truck holding a firearm. As the deputy arrived in a clearly marked patrol vehicle, Henley fired a rifle at the deputy, striking the vehicle in the engine compartment. The deputy returned fire, striking Henley multiple times. Henley dropped the rifle and fled on foot before being taken into custody.
At the time of the offense, Henley was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to prior felony convictions.
Henley is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and he will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charge, Henley faces up to 15 years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Roswell Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Grant Gardner is prosecuting the case.
View the Criminal Complaint (Henley).pdf
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico
