I used to live in New Mexico (granted, in the northern part of the state- Luna County is on the Mexican border). There's definitely gangs in Albuquerque that have done some brutal stuff- A few years ago a man was found nailed to a tree still alive. But I can't speak to the situation on the border in 1999. Most of that area is very rural, with the closest larger city being Las Cruces.
I'm also inclined to think this was a suicide, especially since they found a lighter with his body. Either way, what a horrible way to go... I hope he gets his name back soon.