Clovis //

GRADY //

texico //

1,405.9 Square Miles

// Melrose //

Cannon AFB //

Curry County Detention Center

excellence

integrity

commitment

service

Meet Our Team.

joe Alaniz

Administrator

Kaitlin koch

Programs Captain

Melissa lujan

Assistant Administrator

taber stanfield

Lieutenant, SORT Commander

chris moreno

Security Captain, Recruiter

Michael Veach

Training Sergeant

meet our curry county detention center adminstrator

Joe Alaniz

Joe Alaniz, a native New Mexican from Carlsbad, began his career in corrections in 1987. He has extensive experience in both security and administrative positions.

Joe started his career with the California Department of Corrections (CDC), where he was involved in specialty teams and worked a broad spectrum of specialty and general units.

He developed a focus on Quality Assurance while working with the New Mexico Department of Corrections. With his Quality Assurance skills, he has led various teams in getting ACA and NMC accreditation, including federal, state, and
county facilities.

Although Mr. Alaniz has undergone various types of training to augment and reinforce
his chosen career in corrections, his formal education was completed at New Mexico
State University where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Mr. Alaniz joined the Curry County Adult Detention Center in 2016.

meet our assistant detention center adminstrator

melissa lujan

Melissa Lujan is a proud veteran, having served as an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces from 2005 to 2014, specializing in force protection.

While on active duty, she pursued and earned an Associate degree in Criminal Justice, laying the groundwork for a future in public safety.

After transitioning to civilian life, she continued her academic journey, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Eastern New Mexico University.

In 2017, Mrs. Lujan began her career in detention at Curry County Adult Detention Center. With her education, military experience, leadership, and comprehensive understanding of force protection, risk mitigation, and institutional safety, Mrs. Lujan has steadily advanced in her detention career, culminating in her current role as Assistant Detention Administrator.

meet our curry county detention center recruiter

captain chris moreno

Christopher Moreno, our Security Captain, was born and raised in Portales, New Mexico. After graduating from Eastern New Mexico University in 1998, he began his law enforcement career as an Adult Probation and Parole Officer in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, specializing in intensive supervision of high-risk offenders.

Captain Moreno later served with the Juvenile Justice Department, working with young offenders in state custody. This experience strengthened his approach to compassionate leadership and the importance of structured guidance.

In 2019, he joined Curry County Detention Center as a Detention Officer, advancing through the ranks of Sergeant and Lieutenant before being appointed Security Captain.

In his current role, Captain Moreno emphasizes ethical leadership and professional standards among officers. He believes in empowering staff and maintaining the highest levels of integrity and respect throughout the facility.

Captain Moreno's leadership at CCADC focuses on both security protocols and rehabilitation principles, working to create an environment that supports positive change through proper guidance and structure.

meet our curry county detention center Programs captain

captain kaitlin koch

Born and raised in Monroe, Wisconsin, Captain Kaitlin Koch has been an implant of Curry County since 2015. She joined the United States Army straight out of high school, which landed her in San Antonio, TX. She then worked in the banking industry for numerous years before moving to Clovis, NM.

She began her career at the detention center in 2017 as the "commissary lady" and soon after switched the security side of things, as a detention officer. She has held many titles for the facility, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Security Captain. Through relentless dedication and a deep commitment to the facility, she rose through the ranks to her current role as Programs Captain.

In this position, Captain Koch oversees a variety of inmate programs focused on rehabilitation, education, and reentry, while actively building bridges with community partners to support successful transitions post-release. She is a passionate advocate for protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals within the facility, ensuring programs are inclusive, respectful, and centered around growth.

Captain Koch also serves as the assistant S.O.R.T. (Special Operations Response Team) commander and is a certified PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) investigator. Additionally, she is an instructor in defensive tactics and less lethal systems, with specialized expertise in Crisis Intervention and interview techniques.

Captain Koch’s leadership reflects a balance of strength, compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility to both the community and those in her care.

meet our curry county detention center SORT Commander

Lieutenant
Taber
Stanfield

Lieutenant Stanfield is a native of Clovis, New Mexico. Shortly after graduating from Clovis High School in 2016, he began his career at Curry County Adult Detention Center. Starting his career at the rank of officer, Lieutenant Stanfield worked diligently to learn the complexities of the facility and the importance of maintaining order.

Despite his age, his superiors recognized his steadfast work ethic, veracity, and commitment, and he was selected for the Special Operations Response Team (SORT). His dedication and leadership skills were quickly developed, and in 2018, he was promoted to Detention Sergeant.

As a sergeant, he demonstrated exceptional leadership in directing teams, training, and strict adherence to standards. His approach to management and team building is rooted in the values of respect, integrity, and professionalism.

In 2019, he was promoted to lieutenant, further solidifying his standing as a reliable and trusted leader within the facility. In this capacity, he now manages training and operations as the Commander of SORT and is instrumental to improving safety standards and operational efficiency.

Throughout his career, Lieutenant Stanfield has made significant investments in his professional development, obtaining several certifications to enhance his expertise. Notably, he is a certified Defensive Tactics Instructor, Pepperball Armor Instructor, and PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) Investigator.

In 2023, he achieved certification as a Tactics Instructor from the Federal Law Enforcement Center in Artesia, New Mexico, which further underscores his commitment to the highest level of training and operational excellence.

Currently, Lieutenant Stanfield is applying his extensive knowledge and experience in the quality assurance area, ensuring that all practices and procedures meet the highest standards.

meet our curry county detention center training coordinator

sergeant michael veach

Sergeant Micheal Veach, the training coordinator, began his corrections career with the
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) in 2008. During his tenure with TDCJ, he
received assignments to the William P. Clements, Neal, Baten, Jordan, and Montford
Units and also worked at the Ochiltree County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) at the county
detention center. With each assignment, he gained invaluable knowledge and
experience.

After his time with TDCJ and OCSO, Sergeant Veach took a brief hiatus from the
corrections field to pursue other personal and professional goals, but his passion for
corrections and detention was definitive, and in 2021, he began working at Curry
County Adult Detention Center.

In 2024, Sergeant Veach took the opportunity to become the training coordinator and,
without hesitation, assumed absolute responsibility for the department. Throughout his
time in corrections and detention, he not only mastered navigating high-pressure
situations, day-to-day operations, and enforcing policies but also managing the human
side of the job.

As the training coordinator, he is dedicated to delivering training that
bridges department policy with real-world application, building confidence and judgment, not just memorization, using firsthand examples to enhance learning and retention among recruits.

excellence

integrity

commitment

service

curry county adult detention center

develop specialized skills through advanced assignments and certification programs.

SORT TEAm

The Special Operations Response Team (SORT) for the Curry County Adult Detention Center is a highly trained, specialized unit tasked with managing high-risk situations and ensuring the safety and security of both staff and detainees.

The team is equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to incidents such as violent detainee disturbances, hostage situations, escapes, and
other critical events that may arise in a detention facility. SORT personnel undergo rigorous training in tactical operations, crowd control, crisis negotiation, and defensive tactics to maintain order and prevent escalation.

Their primary objective is to swiftly restore control to the facility, protect lives, and minimize damage, while operating in close coordination with
other detention staff and law enforcement agencies.

training dept.

Our Mission: To equip staff with the tools and resources necessary for a rewarding and successful career in detention through a continuously evolving curriculum designed to address the dynamic nature of state and federal laws.

Comprehensive Training Resources

Partnership with New Mexico Counties for core curriculum
Access to online training through New Mexico Counties and the EDGE Program
Over 1,350 courses available at no cost to staff

Specialized Training

Defensive tactics curriculum by Pressure Point Control Tactics
Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association

Our Commitment
Curry County's strong support and exceptional CCADC administration leadership enable us to deliver a high-quality, personalized training experience. Our commitment to staff development extends far beyond orientation or the academy—we provide continuous support throughout your entire career at CCADC.

Department Lead: Sgt. Michael Veach