Home US News New Mexico Law enforcement officials admit wrongdoing in Albuquerque, New Mexico DWI corruption investigation

Law enforcement officials admit wrongdoing in Albuquerque, New Mexico DWI corruption investigation

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In a significant development in New Mexico, two ex-officers from the Albuquerque Police Department admitted guilt on Friday to federal charges that include racketeering, extortion, and bribery as part of an extensive corruption inquiry. This investigation has surfaced details about a scheme purportedly permitting individuals arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) to escape prosecution, as revealed in recent court documentation.

The former officers, identified as Joshua Montaño and Honorio Alba, were part of the police department’s DUI unit and confessed to engaging in a conspiracy alongside attorney Ricardo Mendez. According to federal authorities, Mendez’s law office provided substantial financial incentives, including gifts and cash payments, to officers to secure the dismissal of cases involving his clients.

As part of their plea agreements, Montaño and Alba have chosen to cooperate with law enforcement in exchange for reduced sentences that could help them avoid maximum penalties typically associated with such crimes. Their legal representatives have not provided immediate responses to requests for comments via phone or email.

Ricardo Mendez, the attorney involved, had previously admitted guilt last month to multiple federal offenses, including racketeering and bribery. Reports indicate that clients of Mendez would pay a retainer to his firm in cash, which would then be used to compensate officers—often exceeding $5,000—either through direct cash payments or through gifts and legal services, allowing officers to avoid testifying in court over DUI incidents and leading to case dismissals.

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Albuquerque for their thorough work on this case. He noted that Montaño and Alba chose to resign rather than participate in interviews conducted by the department’s internal affairs division.

Medina expressed concern that this may not be the conclusion of the investigation, stating, “I wish I could say this is the end point, but we continue to discover details of this conspiracy and those who participated in it,” in a statement sent via email. The fallout from the investigation has been extensive, with over a dozen officers facing various consequences, including resignations, administrative leave, terminations, or temporary reassignment from their duties.