Celeste Zimmerman, 68, and Raymond Swingle, 31, according to Hatch Police, are accused of obtaining more than $4,000 from festival attendees by charging them fictitious parking fees.
Both Swingle and Zimmerman have been detained and are now in the Doa Ana County jail.
On Sunday, it wasn’t apparent if either had a lawyer yet who could represent them.
The festival’s organizing committee decided against charging for parking since they aren’t authorized to do so on public roadways or on school premises, according to court filings, according to Albuquerque TV station KOB.
According to KOB, Swingle allegedly demanded $10 from individuals in order to park, and he allegedly halted traffic until the individuals paid.
According to the station, Zimmerman allegedly wrote on the festival’s website that a $10 donation charge was required to help keep the event going.
KOB claims that records indicate the message was not approved by the organizing committee. The 50th event took place from September 2 to 4.
