Albuquerque –
Yesterday, March 25, the Albuquerque Police Department announced that they terminated two former members of the DWI Unit who had been on leave as part of the department’s ongoing investigation into allegations of wrong-doing.
Gustavo Gomez, a deputy commander who most recently oversaw use-of-force investigations, was terminated today. Gomez had been on leave since October 2024, when according to APD, he became the subject of the investigation.
Gomez has been employed by APD since 2008 and served in the DWI Unit from 2010 to 2013.
Additionally, APD also terminated Matthew Chavez, a lieutenant in the Valley Area Command. Chavez joined APD in 2008 and had previously served in the DWI Unit.
Chavez was placed on administrative leave in January 2025 after the U.S. Attorney’s Office identified him as being Giglio-impaired as part of its federal investigation. That prompted the District Attorney’s Office to add Chavez to the Brady-Giglio disclosure list, which raises concerns about their credibility if they testify in court. The Giglio list is NOT a guaranteed path to termination for officers since we noticed current officers at APD on the list are still detectives within the APD ranks.
The official reasons for the termination of former Deputy Commander Gomez and former Lieutenant Chavez were not disclosed by APD’s press release.
APD also announced that Sergeant Lucas Perez resigned yesterday after being placed on administrative leave on Monday.
APD established an Internal Affairs Task Force to oversee all administrative inquiries into alleged misconduct by both current and former DWI officers. The primary administrative investigation was initiated on Jan. 19, 2024. APD Commander Kyle Hartsock is overseeing the investigations, and cases are submitted to the Superintendent of Police Reform to determine whether APD policies were followed. Hartsock was most likely chosen since he was part of a DWI unit when he was with BCSO.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently investigating allegations of unlawful conduct. The United States Attorney’s Office will subsequently assess the merits of pursuing criminal charges against individuals who are suspected of violating federal laws.
- Albuquerque Police Lieutenant Justin Hunt – resigned on February 7, 2024.
- Commander Mark Landavazo – placed on administrative leave on February 13, 2024, and terminated on Aug 1, 2024
- Albuquerque Police Officer Honorio Alba – resigned on February 29, 2024. Took a plea deal on February 7, 2025.
- Albuquerque Police Officer Harvey Johnson – resigned on March 13, 2024.
- Albuquerque Police Officer Nelson Ortiz – resigned on March 15, 2024. Took a plea deal on March 25, 2025.
- Albuquerque Police Officer Joshua Montaño – resigned on March 20, 2024. Took a plea deal on February 7, 2025.
- Albuquerque Police Officer Daren DeAguero – resigned on April 30, 2024.
- Albuquerque Police Officer Matthew Trahan – placed on administrative leave on May 8, 2024, and retired on October 19, 2024.
- Albuquerque Police Officer Neill Elsman – resigned on July 31, 2024. Took a plea deal on February 12, 2025.
- Albuquerque Police Deputy Commander Gustavo Gomez – placed on administrative leave on October 16, 2024. Terminated by APD on March 25, 2025.
- Albuquerque Police Lieutenant Kyle Curtis – placed on administrative leave on January 24, 2025. Retired on January 28, 2025.
- Albuquerque Police Lieutenant Matthew Chavez – placed on administrative leave on January 24, 2025. Terminated by APD on March 25, 2025.
- Retired Albuquerque Police Officer Timothy McCarson – retired when named on January 24, 2025, not a current officer.
- Albuquerque Police Sergeant Lucas Perez – put on administrative leave on March 24, 2025. Resigned on March 25, 2025.
- Bernalillo County Sheriff Deputy Jeff Hammerel – placed on administrative leave on January 24, 2025, and resigned on February 25, 2025. Took a plea deal on February 25, 2025.
- New Mexico State Police Sergeant Toby Lafave – placed on administrative leave on February 14, 2025.
- Bernalillo County Sheriff Deputy Undersheriff Johann Jareno – named and resigned on February 23, 2025
- Bernalillo County Sheriff Deputy Jeffry Bartram – placed on administrative leave on March 7, 2025.
Ricardo (Rick) Mendez took a plea deal on January 24, 2025. US Magistrate Judge Karen B. Molzen granted Mendez’s request to travel internationally and reportedly, the acting US Attorney didn’t object. On February 12, 2025, Thomas Clear III took a plea deal for his role in this scheme. A second attorney, Rudy Chavez, has also allegedly been implicated based on court documents. In Mendez’s and Alba’s plea agreements, Chavez has been named as a co-conspirator. Chavez has explicitly denied being involved in the “DWI Enterprise Scandal.”
As of this publication, 13 current APD officers, one retired APD officer, three BCSO deputies, and one NMSP officer have either been implicated or placed on administrative leave due to the DWI investigation.
Four of the former APD officers who have left the department have since pleaded guilty to federal charges for their roles in the DWI conspiracy: Neill Elsman, Honorio Alba, Joshua Montaño, and Nelson Ortiz.
Former BCSO Deputy Jeff Hammerel also pled guilty to federal charges.
**Anyone else named is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.**
I wonder how long it will be before Chief Medina is placed on this list !!
Sargent Schultz “I don’t know nothing” Medina should at least be placed on the Giglio list.
Just curious why this hasn’t made national headlines.
Wow! I wonder when at least one judge will be named. Thanks for the summary. ‘Power corrupt s…”
Why is nobody reporting what the punishment is for those who have pled guilty in these cases?
Because there is no punishment. As it should be. We need to stop punishing normal people and punish the real criminals: magat trumpers. Put them in camps, where they can be put against the wall and sell their kids to the highest bidders.
I know you’re trolling, but this is a decent idea.
I’d leave the kids out of it, there’s still hope for them to turn out ok, but there are a lot of maga freaks that just need to be put down.
You’re an idiot, must be fun being so ignorant.
Mama says ignorant is as ignorant does. That’s why I vote blue no matter who.
Looking forward to lining people like you up against the wall first. Trash day is coming
As stated in one of the articles (not sure / don’t remember which one), they are facing up to 20 years prison time. They have not been sentenced yet and not sure when the sentencing will be scheduled. Stay tuned . . .
I would think the punishment would be decided as part of the plead deal. Wouldn’t you think someone would not agree to a deal that doesn’t spell out the consequences?
Just stating what I read. Probably to be charged a lesser crime or take consideration for providing information on other officers or higher-ups. Don’t know what goes on behind closed doors.
“Don’t know what goes on behind closed doors.”
Seems like thats what got us to this point, all that business taking place behind closed doors with unnamed city officals.
One more black mark against Albuquerque. More corruption to be uncovered but probably won’t unless outside entities do the digging.
The State of New Mexico’s Department of Motor Vehicles mandates carrying Insurance, by drivers, to compel an illusion of Responsibility, when they cause an accident. Rates are based on a high incidence of Drunk drivers in New Mexico, getting off. Since the drunk drivers can buy their way out of a Conviction, by dealing with Corrupt Officers, Attorneys and maybe a Judge or two, Insurance rates will never go down. The cost is paid by other Drivers in money, as well as multiple family member’s deaths, crippling injuries and jobs. One clear example was the Drunk driver, Gordon House, who kept trying to blame the 4 victims of his choice for years. He was of course found Guilty. Each of these Law Enforcement officers, lawyers and Judges should be forced to Compensate, all victims or families of any Drunk drivers, that these Law Enforcement officers let off prior to any accidents. The names are on Court documents, sworn to by these officers, after taking Bribes. All should be Banned for life, from any Law Enforcement positions they apply for. Social Security can monitor any of their applications in Law Enforcement, to be sure. Just another perspective.
Both cops starting new jobs this Monday in Bumfuck, NM.
Never heard of Bumfuck, NM.
Sounds like my kinda place!
What else are the police getting bribes to look the other way? What this DWI scandal should teach us that the police can be bought. How many drug dealers are being protected by the police? How many auto repair shops buying stolen car parts are paying off the police? We need to investigate APD, the Bernalillo county deputies and the state police for corruption beyond the DWI scandal. We need honest cops to enforce the law. Do we have any?
For years I wonder why NM is always in the top 5 states for DWI. Well I got my answer. It’s the corrupt police. I wonder why we are one of the worst states for car theft and drug trafficking. Could it be corrupt police again?
Depressed, great comment. I believe you are spot on with your comment and your follow-up question. Who knows what else beyond “The DWI Enterprise” the corruption and money will lead OR how high up the ladder it really goes (if ever found). Really makes you wonder as I have had three vehicles stolen. Now I have anti theft devices on every thing I drive. Also with all the violence and the revolving door at the county jail. I wonder how “greased” that revolving door is.
But I do believe there are some really good officers out there risking their lives everyday and they certainly have my respect, however it really puts a huge black eye on the integrity of our LE here in NM and in particular, Albuquerque.
I agree Depressed War Zone and Dave, this has been a Huge black eye on Law Enforcement. This scam has been going on for a long time. The fact that Medina, Keller’s choice for Chief, has turned a blind eye to this corruption should make this state the laughing stock of the world. It should be on national news but the liberal Democrats are paying for this news to be hidden away in the archives. The swamp in DC is being drained, the swamp in Santa Fe knows that they are safe because of the low IQ of voters here. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan voted to allow men to compete in women’s sports !! Remember that on election day