N.M. divorce lawyer broke into home of client's husband, records show

By: Barry Leibowitz
Topics: Daily Blotter

When justice hangs in the balance, how balanced is your lawyer?

(Credit: lawfirms.com)

(CBS/AP) ALAMOGORDO, N.M. - You really can't blame someone for hiring an aggressive divorce lawyer... but then there's the case of the New Mexico divorce attorney who authorities say broke into the home of his client's estranged husband.

The Alamogordo Daily Times reports that lawyer Raymond Van Arnam was arrested Wednesday for fourth-degree felony breaking and entering and fourth-degree criminal damage to property over $1,000.

Van Arnam's client, Melissa Stonecipher, was also charged with fourth-degree felony conspiracy.

According to court records, Van Arnam broke into the residence of Stonecipher's husband, and let two other men inside to remove numerous items of baby furniture and baby accessories.

Records say that when the husband arrived at the residence, divorce lawyer Van Arnam charged the husband's car.

Van Arnam was jailed at the Otero County Detention Center in lieu of bond.

Time to call another lawyer.

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by get_over_urself January 7, 2012 2:14 PM EST

No she is not sleeping with the lawyer and the story is all from her crazy soon to be ex who has been cheating on her and would never let her come to get their child's belongings including baby's food.... and its not that the lawyer broke into a house that left the back door open, and he was Never arrested and he is still working with many clients in the Alamo area. So before you start thinking crazy **** know your facts. Thank you

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by Stoneciphes January 8, 2012 3:01 PM EST: Well I can say that all the doors were locked and the video shows the doorframe being destroyed by VanArnam. I don't know who this person is "get_over_urslef" but there is only one side of this story and that is the truth. The amazing thing is a 7 camera video surveillance system does not lie. As far as any allegations that I was refusing to allow Melissa access to things to take care of our daughter is preposterous. I have video surveillance from 25 Oct 2011, an email from 26 Oct 2011 and a text message from 28 Oct 2011 where I told Melissa she would be allowed in to get anything she needed either Saturday 29 Oct or Sunday 30 Oct. I personally can't wait till charges are brought against VanArnam's assistant, her significant other "Josh", & Robert Munday the other people who broke into my home. On the video surveillance you can see that VanArnam's assistant brought her minor child with her to the commission of a felony.


by Stoneciphes January 8, 2012 3:02 PM EST: Well I can say that all the doors were locked and the video shows the doorframe being destroyed by VanArnam. I don't know who this person is "get_over_urslef" but there is only one side of this story and that is the truth. The amazing thing is a 7 camera video surveillance system does not lie. As far as any allegations that I was refusing to allow Melissa access to things to take care of our daughter is preposterous. I have video surveillance from 25 Oct 2011, an email from 26 Oct 2011 and a text message from 28 Oct 2011 where I told Melissa she would be allowed in to get anything she needed either Saturday 29 Oct or Sunday 30 Oct. I personally can't wait till charges are brought against VanArnam's assistant, her significant other "Josh", & Robert Munday the other people who broke into my home. On the video surveillance you can see that VanArnam's assistant brought her minor child with her to the commission of a felony.