The Bribery Of Law Enforcement to Dismiss  DWI Cases is the single largest government corruption scandal in the City of Albuquerque’s and the State Of  New Mexico’s  history involving the 3 largest law enforcement agencies in the state consisting of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department (BCSO)  and the New Mexico State police.

A total of nineteen (19) law enforcement officers were implicated and have resigned, retired, been terminated or federally charged or plead guilty to charges  since the FBI executed five searches in January 2024 at three APD  officers’ residences, the home of a private investigator, and the law office of prominent DWI attorney Thomas Clear III.  Private Criminal  Defense Attorneys Thomas Clear and Rudy Chavez have plead guilty to federal charges and have been disbarred. Clear’s private investigator and paralegal Ricardo “Rick” Mendez also plead guilty to federal charges.

All defendants who have plead guilty are awaiting sentencing as the investigation appears to have come to an end but no announcement has been made by the United States Attorneys Office nor the FBI on the case status. Late June, Clear and his attorney appeared in court on a status conference and his sentencing was once again continued until the fall.

REVELATIONS REVEALED IN UNSEALED FEDERAL DOCUMENTS

On June 16 and June 17, news outlets began to report the contents of newly unsealed federal documents and transcripts that  detail the FBI’s wiretapped phone conversations between Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officers and attorney ringleader leader Thomas Clear III  as they were conspiring  in the bribery of law the APD  officers  to dismiss  DWI cases. The federal transcripts reveal conversations in the weeks leading up to the federal raids on police officers’ homes and the office of attorney Thomas Clear III. By then, Clear and those he was working with were beginning  to suspect that the FBI was  investigating them.

The newly-unsealed documents give  insight into the FBI investigation that broke open the DWI bribery scheme that rocked the 3 largest law enforcement agencies in the state. Hundreds of documents show what FBI investigators were looking into in the months and years leading up to a raid in Los Lunas in January 2024 at the home of former APD officer Harvey Johnson, Jr. That includes search warrants from 2023 in which FBI special agents detail knowledge of extensive communication between law enforcement officers and defense attorney Tom Clear’s paralegal Ricardo “Rick” Mendez.

It was on December 21, 2023, one month before the public would begin to learn of the massive corruption scandal,   private defense attorney and ringleader  Thomas Clear III,  and Clear’s paralegal Ricardo “Rick”  Mendez had a three way  phone call with APD and DWI police officer Honorio Alba. They sought a explanation as to why  the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office dismissed DWI cases for Alba and three other officers, without any explanation. Clear asked “These aren’t new cases… what are they doing?” Alba replied, “That’s what we’re trying to figure out… the hard part is I don’t know if [they’re] playing stupid but I tried asking.”

FBI agents would search the homes of Mendez, Alba, Johnson and Montaño, Clear’s office and the APD substation on Wyoming, near Paseo del Norte, where the officers worked. At Mendez’s home agents seized TVs, jewelry, clothing, cash, 40 guns, documents and his phone, which appeared to have been set on fire. Inside Clear’s office and the homes of Johnson and Alba, agents found, among other items, other people’s belongings, namely, wallets and driver’s licenses.

The December 21, 2023 phone conversation was a red flag for the conspirators  engaged in a decades long scheme to take bribes to get DWI cases dismissed, with the group repeatedly discussing  and  then brushing off signs that they were being investigated for months something  even suggested by Clear himself.

It turns out that the FBI was in fact listening to conversations and had seen text messages. Less than a week after the three-way call, on January 18, 2024, agents raided Clear’s office and the homes of Mendez, Alba, and officers Joshua Montaño, Harvey Johnson and Nelson Ortiz.

CHRONOLOGY OF TAPPED PHONE CONVESATIONS

The FBI tapped all the scheme’s major players’ phones.  Recent unsealed search warrant affidavits detail calls and texts among the group, showing they continued the extortion and bribery as the snare tightened around them. Even after a civilian complaint was filed and  then quashed against Alba and as prosecutors began asking for doctor’s notes for missed hearings.

Trust  soon began to erode in their front man attorney Thomas Clear. In one recorded call, Alba and Mendez spoke of putting a tail on Clear or tracking devices on his vehicle. They spoke of finding something to blackmail him with to keep quiet, believing he would “roll over” on the entire criminal conspiracy if he were caught.  Alba told Mendez:

“We all know that [expletive deleted] Tom’s not stand up, bro, he’s not going to stare down the [expletive deleted]  barrel of a gun anytime soon.”

According to federal search warrant affidavits filed in U.S. District Court for New Mexico, the FBI’s investigation of the bribery scheme began in earnest in the fall of 2023, despite previous unheeded tips from local attorneys. The case picked up steam after the agency recruited a DWI suspect “motivated to work with the FBI out of a desire to see justice served.”

At the behest of FBI agents, the suspect-turned-confidential witness arranged a bribe with Mendez to have his case dismissed and then he  paid $6,500 in FBI agency money. Mendez picked up the money while riding passenger in Alba’s patrol vehicle, who the FBI had already heard suspicions of from a local attorney.

In November, another DWI suspect filed a complaint with the City of  Albuquerque  Civilian Police Oversight Agency (CPOA) against Alba, saying the officer told him to call “Rick,” who could ensure no case was filed. The CPOA, unaware of the FBI’s probe, told Alba of the complaint and interviewed him.

Alba and Mendez spoke on the phone repeatedly.  Because of all the mounting evidence,  a federal judge granted the FBI a wiretap on Mendez’s phone on December 5, 2023. It didn’t take long to pay off as one day later  Clear called Mendez to tell him Montaño needed to “figure something out” to miss a hearing for a dismissal.

On December 7, Mendez texted Alba that “Tom” was being suspicious and “called me mysteriously to go meet him somewhere to talk.” Mendez told him Clear didn’t specify where to meet or why, and Alba said he didn’t trust Clear. If it were him, Alba said, he would be doing “countersurveillance.”

The men discussed whether Clear was worried about the CPOA complaint against Alba while Mendez wondered about being fired. Alba said he and the others are “not [expletive deleted] playing ball” without Mendez. Alba said this:  “I consider Tom too much of a liability to do business with him. … Hopefully Tom isn’t stupid enough to … [expletive deleted] up business though, bro.” In the call, Alba suggested Mendez use “leverage” against Clear or find something to blackmail him. Alba said this: “Does he realize … there’s too much stuff for him to play innocent?” expressing that Clear “would roll over” under any investigation. Alba asked Mendez if he wanted to have Clear followed or place trackers or audio devices on his vehicle.

Mendez wondered if Clear found out they were taking bribes to get cases dismissed without his help, adding “that’s the only thing he’s been a crybaby about.” The pair wondered if any suspects who paid bribes would complain. Alba said this  “That’d be like somebody gave you a [expletive deleted] winning lottery ticket and then you go [expletive deleted] the person over. ”

On December 7, 2023 to protect the FBI investigation, APD’s Internal Affairs sent a letter to Alba saying the complaint was closed. Alba sent a photo of the letter to Mendez in a text message. Mendez told Alba that Clear had also sent him a message saying  “All is good.”

The pair spoke of how Clear would know it was dismissed before anyone else.

Mendez then gloated of his contribution to Clear’s firm and how, before he joined, Clear charged $1,300 per DWI. Mendez said Clear increased his fee  up to $3,000, then $5,000 and $6,000. Alba said “You can’t tell me [expletive deleted] Tom didn’t like seeing that sort of cash on the table. ” Mendez replied  “Of course he loves it, he loves it.”

As the case expanded, so did the wire taps. On December  18, 2023, Alba and Montaño in a call spoke of the sergeant requiring DWI officers to book suspects and not allowing the issuance of summons, a key part of the DWI scheme. The pair wondered if people were talking about the operation.

Alba said “Because, honestly you can do almost whatever you want in this unit, bro. But if you don’t broadcast it, if you don’t tell the whole world.” Montaño replied:  “Well that sucks dude because now it destroys the whole [expletive deleted] system.”

Alba then shared more bad news.  Mendez and Clear were “butting heads.” Alba said “they always have issues like lover’s quarrels, bro.”

On December  21, 2023, Mendez told Alba that Clear thought he was being set up in court after a public defender brought up that Montaño gave a DWI suspect’s bracelet to Mendez. Mendez told Alba that Clear was worried the FBI was “listening at the office and monitoring our phones.” Mendez was unconcerned, adding, “I’m like, ‘You’re retarded.” Alba replied. “Let’s be real… if they’re monitoring phones, that’s the least of anyone’s (expletive deleted) concerns.”

 The group hit another snag in early January 2024, when prosecutors insisted on a doctor’s note if an officer was going to miss a hearing, another crucial aspect to the scheme. In a call, a prosecutor asked Alba for verification of a doctor visit he had to take his father to.

On January 10, Alba talked to the prosecutor again, telling them he vomited all over himself and couldn’t drive his father to the doctor, blaming McDonald’s Hot ‘n Spicy sandwich. “I’m running a fever right now. I don’t even know if I can go to the courtroom,” Alba said. Later, Mendez called to tell Alba that prosecutors “told Tom the trial is still on.”

“I dont know how, I called in,” Alba said. He later called Johnson to share an old “scam” he used which was that  a monthly membership to a local chiropractor who would write a note on day’s notice.

Then DWI cases filed by Montaño, Johnson and Alba started being dismissed.

In a phone call, Johnson told Alba, “Dude yesterday and today is just very, very fishy.” The pair discussed how to figure out if anything is going on or if “they have nothing.” Alba tried to reassure Johnson by mentioning his CPOA complaint that got dismissed.  “I got a letter sent to IA from the [expletive deleted] district court,” Alba said. “And mine was … case gone.”

On January 12, 2024 agents listened in on a call between Clear, Mendez and Alba.

Alba told the others how the cause for the dismissals is listed, simply, as “in the interest of justice.” He said the prosecutor was “not really wanting to talk.”

 Alba said Johnson also tried to ask the reason for the dismissals, but was stonewalled. Clear said, “So they’re looking. I guarantee you they’re looking.” Clear relayed the story of a hearing where he moved to dismiss a case due to Alba being sick and a prosecutor who appeared to be “taking notes.” Clear said “I think she wanted to see if I was coming in ready for trial or if I acted like I knew anything.” Alba mentioned how the prosecutor was persistent that he get a note. Clear asked, “So they’re dismissing all the DWI unit’s cases. Is that what they’re doing?” Alba told him it was only cases filed by himself, Johnson and Montaño.

PLEA AGREEMENT SECURED AVOIDING ALL TRIALS

During the last three years since, federal prosecutors have secured guilty pleas from Clear, Mendez, Albuquerque attorney Rudy Chavez, nine Albuquerque Police Department officers and one Bernalillo County sheriff’s deputy. Other law enforcement officers, including one from the New Mexico State Police, have either been fired or retired. None have gone to trial, and all 13 defendants prosecuted on racketeering- and extortion-related charges are awaiting sentencing.

Links to quoted or relied upon news sources are here:

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/unsealed-federal-warrants-reveal-results-of-raids-on-attorneys-and-apd-officers-in-dwi-scandal/

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/albuquerque-metro/fbi-documents-reveal-new-mexico-dwi-bribery-scheme-involving-apd-officers/

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/fbi-placed-wiretaps-on-dwi-officers-phones/3064338

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/search-warrants-reveal-paralegal-being-234825360.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

HOW DWI ENTERPRISE BRIBERY AND DISSAL SCANDAL WORKED

According to criminal complaints, indictments and plea agreements filed in Federal District Court by the New Mexico United States Attorney and the US Department of Justice, the DWI Enterprise scheme was very simple and straight forward and it went on for upwards of 3 decades. Arresting officers would give contact information on motorists they arrested on DWI charges to Private Investigator Carlos Mendez who worked for defense attorney Thomas Clear or Clear himself. In exchange, the officers would receive cash, gifts and legal services and intentionally fail to show up to required pretrial interviews, court hearings. The officers  would also withhold evidence in cases where the suspects hired Clear. Clear would then file motions to dismiss the charges, and judges had no choice but to dismiss the cases for “lack of prosecution” as a sanction against the prosecution.

Clients whose cases were dismissed would typically pay more in legal fees of between $5,000 and $10,000 depending on if the charges were DWI, aggravated DWI other charges in addition to DWI. Law enforcement officers would be recruited by Clear and Mendez to participate in the scheme over many years. The conspirators would also profile people as to their ability to pay higher fees. Defense attorneys customarily charge between $3,000 and $6,000 to defend DWI cases depending on if the case is a person’s first, second, third or even fourth offense, misdemeanor or felony DWI. There is no charge if a defendant  qualifies and is defended by the Public Defender’s Office.

DWI DISMISSAL SCANDAL SCORE CARD

Nine APD officers and one Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Deputy have plead guilty to federal charges of taking bribes. Additionally, two Albuquerque defense attorneys, and one private investigator have plead guilty in the ongoing federal investigation into a nearly 30-year conspiracy in which a group of DWI officers received cash, free legal services and other benefits for helping get DWI cases dismissed.

NINE  APD COPS AND ONE BERNALILLO COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF PLEAD GUILTY AS CHARGED

The nine APD officers and one Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Deputy who have plead guilty to federal charges of taking bribes are:

1. On February 7, 2025 former APD Officer Honorio Alba plead guilty to racketeering, bribery, extortion and conspiracy. (Article link: Took a plea deal on February 7, 2025.)
2. On February 7, 2025 former APD Officer Joshua Montaño plead guilty as charge to  racketeering, bribery, extortion and conspiracy.(Article link: Took a plea deal on February 7, 2025.)
3. On February 12, 2025 former APD Officer Neill Elsman plead guilty as charged  to 5 counts of  conspiracy, extortion, and bribery.  ( February 12, 2025.)
4. On March 24, 2025 former APD officer Nelson Ortiz admitted to his role in the DWI Enterprise bribery scandal and pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Interference With Commerce By Extortion Under Color of Official Right. He faces 20 years in prison.
5. On April 29, 2025 former APD Police Officer Harvey Johnson plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit “Interference With Commerce By Extortion Under Color Of Official Right”. He is facing 20 years in jail.
6. On May 27, 2025 former APD Officer Lucas Perez plead guilty to “conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by extortion under color of official right.” It was on March 24, 2024 that APD announced it had placed Lucas Perez  on leave as a part of its internal investigation into its DWI unit and the federal investigation. Perez had been with the department since 2016 and served in the DWI unit to become the unit sergeant.
7. On June 23, 2025 former APD Officer Louis Henckel plead guilty in federal court, admitting to his role in the conspiracy with criminal defense attorney Thomas Clear and his employee  Ricardo Mendez to accept bribes to get DWI cases dismissed. Henckel plead guilty to one count of “conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by extortion under color of official right.” The maximum penalty is up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
8. On December 15, 2025, retired APD Officer Timothy McCarson plead guilty to one count of “conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by extortion under color of official right.”
9. On February 25, 2025,  BCSO DeputyJeff Hammerel resigned from BCSO and  plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, two counts of extortion and two counts of bribery. (Took a plea deal on February 25, 2025.)
10. On January 20, 2026, former APD Lieutenant Justin Huntplead guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Interference With Commerce By Extortion Under Color of Official Right.”

TWO RING LEADERS PLEAD GUILTY AS CHARGED

Former DWI Criminal defense attorney Thomas Clear III and his private  investigator Ricardo “Rick” Mendez  plead guilty as charged to paying bribes to law enforcement to get their client’s DWI cases get dismissed.

On January 24, Ricardo “Rick” Mendez, 53, the private investigator for attorney Thomas Clear III, plead guilty to all the charges contained in the criminal Information including racketeering, bribery of an agent receiving federal funds, aiding and abetting, interference with commerce by extortion under color of official right and to conspiracy. Mendez is facing 110 years in prison on the charges. On April 29  Ricardo “Rick” Mendez was scheduled to be sentenced connection with the DWI scandal. In a surprise move on the day of his sentencing it was simply vacated by the federal court. The  likely reason for the delay is that Mendez is providing new information about the DWI scandal and identifying more suspects to be charge.

On February 12, DWI defense attorney Thomas Clear III, 67 plead guilty as charged to nine federal charges including racketeering (RICO) conspiracy, bribery, and extortion. Clear faces up to 130 years in prison and $2 million in fines. Clear has been permanently disbarred from the practice of law by the New Mexico Supreme Court and the Federal Court. A forfeiture action against a home Clear used as his offices has been taken as an asset and as part of the racketeering charge.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY RUDOLPH “RUDY” CHAVEZ PLEADS GUILTY

On July 10, 2025, private criminal defense attorney Rudolph “Rudy” Chavez plead guilty to a federal extortion charge admitting he bribed an Albuquerque police officer in 2023 to help get his  client’s drunken driving case dismissed. Chavez  plead guilty to one count each of interference with commerce by extortion and lying to FBI agents investigating the payoff in March 2024.

In his plea agreement,  Chavez admits he contacted Clear’s assistant Recardo “Rick” Mendez after he was hired by his client who had been arrested in April 2023 by Albuquerque Police Department DWI officer Honorio Alba Jr. Through Mendez, Chavez paid Alba to intentionally not appear in court on the DWI case.  Chavez admits this in his plea agreement:

“I admit that when coordinating the scheme, I knew that Alba was a necessary witness and because Alba planned to fail to appear, I knew that the case and proceedings would likely be dismissed.”

Chavez states in his plea agreement he agreed to be interviewed by FBI agents on March 26, 2024. During his FBI interview, Chavez was warned of the potential criminal consequences of lying to federal law enforcement officers. During his interview with  FBI agents, Chavez denied knowing Alba was not going to appear in court.

In his federal plea agreement, Chavez admits he  lied to  FBI agents and admits he had phone calls with Mendez ahead of the court hearings to ensure Alba would not attend. Chavez  admits  in his plea he spoke on the phone with Mendez after the dismissal “during which I thanked him and asked him to thank Alba.”

CHRONOLOGY 16 APD OFFICERS IMPLICATED, CHARGED OR PLEADING GUILTY

A total of 16 APD Police officers have been implicated in the largest corruption scandal in APD’s history. APD Commander Kyle Hartsock oversaw the Internal Affairs  investigations. One by one, the accused APD officers turned in their badges and resigned  or retired  rather than talking to Internal Affairs investigators about an alleged public corruption scheme involving DWI cases. The names and dates of the 16 officers who have resigned, placed on leave, who have been terminated, retired, charged or plead guilty are:

1. On February 7, 2024 Justin Hunt, who started at APD in 2000, resigned. On January 20, 2026 Hunt plead guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Interference With Commerce By Extortion Under Color of Official Right.”
2. On February 29, 2024, Honorio Alba, who started at APD in 2014, resigned. On February 7, 2025 he plead guilty to racketeering, bribery, extortion and conspiracy.(Article link: Took a plea deal on February 7, 2025.)
3. On March 13, 2024, Harvey Johnson, who started at APD in 2014, resigned.
4. On March 15, 2024, Nelson Ortiz, who started at APD in 2016, resigned. On March 24, Nelson Ortiz  admitted to his role in the DWI Enterprise bribery scandal and  plead guilty in federal court to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Interference With Commerce By Extortion Under Color of Official Right. He faces 20 years in prison.
5. On March 20, 2024 Joshua Montaño, who started at APD January 2005, resigned. On Friday, February 8, Montaño plead guilty as charge to  racketeering, bribery, extortion and conspiracy. (Article link: Took a plea deal on February 7, 2025.)
6. On May 2, 2024 Daren DeAguero, who started with APD in 2009, resigned.
7. On May 9, 2024, Matthew Trahan was placed on paid leave as the investigation played out. Trahan has been with APD since 2006, was with the DWI unit from 2014-16 and recently worked as a detective.
8. On July 30, 2024 APD Officer Neill Elsman, who had worked in the DWI unit within the past several years, resigned before returning to work from military leave. On February 12, 2025 Elsman plead guilty as charged  to 5  counts of  conspiracy, extortion, and bribery. (Article: February 12, 2025.)
9. On August 1, APD announced that it fired Mark Landavazo, the APD Commander of Internal Affairs for Professional Standards, who started with APD in  2007 and was with the DWI unit from 2008 through 2013.
10. On October 16, 2024 Deputy Commander Gustavo Gomez placed on paid administrative leave. Gomez was with the DWI unit from 2010 to 2013.
11. On January 24, 2025 APD announced they placed officers Matthew Chavez on leave.
12. On February 28, Kyle Curtis announced his retirement after he was placed on leave on February 24 amid being targeted in the Internal investigation involving DWI arrests.
13. In 2022, Timothy McCarson retired from the Albuquerque Police Department  and he has been implicated in the DWI scandal. The last week of January, 2025,  the FBI asked that he be added to the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office‘s Giglio list, which classifies potential court testimony as unreliable. On December 15, 2025, McCarson plead guilty to one count of “conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by extortion under color of official right.”
14. On May 12, former APD officer Steve Hindi was placed on the Giglio list of officers whose credibility is compromised after being implicated in the scandal.
15. On March 24, 2024the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) announce it  has  placed Lucas Perez on leave as a part of its internal investigation into its DWI unit and the federal investigation. Perez has been with the department since 2016 and served in the DWI unit to become the unit sergeant. On May 27,2025 Lucas Perez plead guilty to conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by extortion under color of official right.
16. On June 26, 2025 it was reported that former APD Officer Daniel Carr who served with APD for nearly 20 years and who then became a lateral hire and went to work for the Durango Police Department, became the 16th former APD officer to join the ranks of officers listed on the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office ‘Giglio list‘ of officers who are no longer trusted witnesses in court. He was implicated in the DWI bribery and conspiracy case to dismiss cases. Carr immediately resigned from the Durango Police Department after the Department was notified of the action. Carr has not been charged with a crime.

THREE BERNALILLO COUNTY SHERRIFF DEPUTIES IMPLICATED

The names and dates of the 3 BCSO officers who have resigned or placed on leave by Sherriff John Allen or who have plead guilty to charges are:

1. On February 25, 2025  BCSO Deputy Jeff Hammerel resigned from BCSO and  plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, two counts of extortion and two counts of bribery.
2. On February 24, 2025, BCSO Undersheriff Johann Jareno was asked to resign by  Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen.
3. March 7^th, BCSO Deputy Jeffry Bartram was placed on leave on after early findings that he may have been involved in the scheme. He has been with BCSO since February 2010 and was on the BCSO DWI Unit from July 2014 to August 2020.

ONE MEXICO STATE POLICE OFFICER

On February 14, 2025 the New Mexico State Police announced it placed Sgt. Toby LaFave on administrative leave after he was implicated by the FBI as accepting bribes in the DWI Enterprise to dismiss cases.  Sgt. Toby LaFave was placed on paid leave as the agency did  its own internal investigation into allegations. LaFave was featured for years in state ENDWI campaigns and was referred to as the DWI King. LaFave was officially fired for his alleged role in November, but he has not yet been criminally charged.

LaFave, who joined State Police in 2012, said in an online public service promotion video that he has made 3,000 arrests during his 20 years in law enforcement. Court records show LaFave has filed at least 1,300 felony and misdemeanor DWI cases from 2009 to February, 2025. Of the 31 DWI cases where LaFave was the arresting officer and Clear was the defense attorney, 17, or 57%, were dismissed by the courts.

The link to a quoted or relied upon news sources are here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_97483524-eb17-11ef-9c15-8320a7b16191.htm/

NO AGREEMENTS AS TO SENTENCINGS

Review of all plea agreements reveals there are no agreements as to sentencing, meaning it will be up to the federal judge assigned who will decide the sentences of each defendant. A pre-sentence report will be prepared by sentencing, probation and parole authorities for each defendant, and a recommendation will be made as to sentencing to the judge. Depending on the actual number of charges plead to by each defendant, they are facing jail sentences between 5 years and 20 years and as much as130 years in federal prison and could face fines  as low as $20,000 or in excess of $1 million dollars.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

There is absolutely no doubt that APD’s reputation was  trashed to a major extent because of this scandal. APD was viewed by many as again having just another bastion of “dirty and corrupt cops” who have brought dishonor to their department and their badge and to the department’s professed values of “Pride, Integrity, Fairness and Respect”.  There is little doubt that this whole DWI dismissal bribery scandal has shaken the public’s faith in our criminal justice system and APD to its core especially with the involvement of the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office BCSO and New Mexico State Police Officers.

The only way that any semblance of faith can be restored and for people to begin trusting APD and law enforcement in general again is if all the police officers involved in this scandal are held accountable and the lawyers involved are held accountable. That will only happen with aggressive prosecutions, convictions, and lengthy prison sentences for the law enforcement officers and attorneys involved in the “DWI Enterprise” scheme. Justice will not be served until all are sentenced. Sentencings delayed means Justice has not been served. The biggest question that remains to be answered is when will sentences be imposed?