| ► Attorney Raymond Van Arnam of Alamogordo, NM; convict |
 |
 |
|
Attorney Raymond Van Arnam of Alamogordo, NM; convict  
Van Arnam was recently arrested on charges relating to kicking in the back door of client’s estranged husband’s home.
In late 2011, the police responded to a 911 call at the home of Anthony Stonecipher who claimed that Van Arnam was attempting to break into his home.
By the time the police arrived, van Arnam and his client were gone but their criminal conduct was captured on a surveillance video. The video revealed that Van Arnam attempted to gain access to the home by kicking in the front door.
When Stonecipher and a roommate left through a back door, the video showed Van Arnam confront Stonecipher and attack his vehicle, causing damage to the driver’s side window. During the scuffle, Stonecipher is heard warning Van Arnam about the cameras, which cause Van Arnam to mock him.
Once Stonecipher left the area, Van Arnam forcibly break in to the back door. Van Arnam and his client then engaged in an embrace and Van Arnam said, “I need a hug … I need some relaxation.”
After the embrace, Van Arnam and his client opened the front door and invited Van Arnam’s law office staff in. Van Arnam then instructed everyone to gather particular items of interest and to act quickly because they didn’t have much time.
The video showed Van Arnam and his crew taking legal paperwork, truckloads of furniture and a family pet.
Because Attorney Misfits in New Mexico are held to a lower standard of conduct then everyone else, Van Arnam was only sentenced to 30 days in jail.
There is no record that Van Arnam has had his law license suspended or that he’s been disbarred. However, given the dismal record of the Disciplinary Board, Van Arnam doesn’t have much to worry about.
As we speak (ca. March 2012) Raymond continues to practice law at 1200 Indiana Avenue in Alamogordo, New Mexico, which is about 70 miles northeast of Las Cruces.
|