Two Former Albuquerque Police Officers Plead Guilty in Major Corruption Case
SANTA FE, N.M. — Two former Albuquerque police officers have pleaded guilty to federal charges including racketeering, extortion, and bribery in connection to a significant corruption investigation. This scheme allegedly permitted individuals arrested for driving while intoxicated to avoid convictions, as revealed in recent court filings.
The former officers, who were part of the Albuquerque Police Department’s driving while intoxicated unit, admitted to their involvement in a conspiracy with an attorney over several years. Federal authorities report that the attorney’s firm provided bribes and gifts to officers in exchange for dismissing client cases.
Officers Joshua Montaño and Honorio Alba entered guilty pleas and agreed to assist investigators. This cooperation may result in leniency regarding the charges they face, which could otherwise lead to significant prison sentences. There has been no response from their legal representatives regarding requests for comment.
The implicated attorney has previously pleaded guilty to multiple federal offenses, including racketeering and bribery. Court documents indicate that clients would pay the attorney in cash, and he would then provide officers with significant cash payments or gifts to ensure they did not testify in court, leading to case dismissals.
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina commended the efforts of federal investigators in unraveling this case, noting that both Montaño and Alba opted to resign rather than comply with internal affairs interviews. Medina stated, “Our investigation continues to uncover further details about this conspiracy and its participants.”
The fallout from this corruption scandal has been extensive, with over a dozen officers facing resignation, administrative leave, termination, or temporary reassignment within the department.
