Cops sift school burglary for porn link

RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) - Ruidoso police suspect a man who viewed online pornography after breaking into a school almost a year ago may have done it again.

The school security system at Ruidoso High School alerted police around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday that someone was inside the childcare center. When police arrived, they reported finding James Allen, 31, hiding behind a door inside the building.

"Detectives conducted an interview with him. Mr. Allen admitted that he broke into the high school searching for money," said Sergeant Dale Harrison, of the Ruidoso Police Department. "While he was inside, he did access the Internet."

Police said they're not aware of anything inside the school being stolen, but they do know Allen had been on a school computer; something Allen has allegedly done before.

It was almost a year ago that Ruidoso police said school officials alerted them to a break-in at White Mountain Elementary School. Police said they found Allen inside a classroom, and that he tried to run away from officers.

In last year's case, detectives arrested Allen for breaking and entering and resisting an officer. Detectives also suspected he may have been using a school computer to view pornography.
     
Whether viewing pornography was what Allen was doing during Wednesday's incident is under investigation.

"It is suspected, yes, because of the incident in February," said Harrison. "I can't say specifically.  We are still investigating that.

"As soon as the forensic analysis of the computers comes back, that'll be released."

Detectives said the Attorney General's Office is also investigating both cases. Allen was on a two-year probation for last year's charges, which he broke Wednesday.

Ruidoso school officials told KRQE News 13 they're fully cooperating with police and that their focus remains on student and staff safety and education.

Allen is jailed without bond for violating probation in this case. Police said more charges are pending. 

Allen does have a criminal background. In 2007 he was convicted in District Court in Carlsbad of burglary, breaking and entering, larceny and criminal damage to property.