According to this article published last year, the then current maximum fine in NM for illegal pumping from a licensed well was $100.
A state rep was proposing raising the fine to $2000 a day.
Under either the license hold here would still make out like a bandet.
At crusty’s 14 cents a barrel Bill King would paid $20K for his 6 million gallons. Subtract the $2k fine he is still ahead $18k.
And given the unavailability of water in the area I am sure he was paid much more that 14 cents a barrel.
Any intelligent man would have sold the water under those circumstances.
Any intelligent Conservative doing so would have seen an armed response and extreme punitive measures.