Forghedaboudit owner arrested after road rage incident in Deming

Algernon D'Ammassa | Las Cruces Sun-News

DEMING - Robert Yacone, owner of the award-winning Forghedaboudit Italian restaurant in Deming, was arrested Tuesday evening following a road rage incident at a parking lot near his business.

Yacone was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, abandonment or abuse of a child, and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. All three charges are felonies.

Forghedaboudit made waves earlier this month when a controversial social media post advertising for employees at a potential Las Cruces restaurant was made from Yacone's personal Facebook account. Yacone claims a social media manager, whom he later fired, made the post.

According to a police report filed in Luna County Magistrate Court Wednesday, Deming police responded to a call at around 9 p.m. from Deming resident Richard Taylor, who reported encountering a vehicle moving quickly through the parking area near Denny's restaurant on Cedar Street.

After both vehicles stopped abruptly, an argument ensued during which Taylor alleged that Yacone, the other driver, pulled up next to his car, cursed and threatened Taylor, and pointed a handgun at him. Taylor was accompanied in his vehicle by his wife and two children.

New Mexico State Police stopped Yacone headed eastbound on Interstate 10, where a handgun was recovered that matched Taylor's description of the weapon he alleged had been pointed at him.

New Mexico statute prohibits a convicted felon from possessing firearms unless 10 years have passed since they completed their sentence, or received a deferred sentence or pardon.

Yacone received a deferred sentence in 2014 after pleading no contest to a felony charge of child abuse (intentional but not causing death or great bodily harm). His 2-year probation was discharged after six months on account of good behavior.

The restaurant was open for lunch on Wednesday.

Algernon D'Ammassa can be reached at 575-541-5451, adammassa@lcsun-news.com or @AlgernonActor on Twitter.

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