KOAT Reporter Arrested for DWI Early This Morning

Albuquerque –

Award-winning KOAT Channel 7 reporter and weekend anchor Julian Paras is facing some criminal charges related to an alleged drunk-driving incident.

On January 16, 2026, at approximately 1:44 AM, a New Mexico State Police officer on patrol observed a silver Chevrolet traveling southbound on Eubank Blvd near Baldwin Blvd at a high rate of speed. The officer activated the front radar and recorded the vehicle traveling 10 mph over the posted speed limit.

The NMSP officer turned around to catch up to the vehicle and confirmed it continued to travel at 50 mph in a posted 40 mph zone. The officer also observed the offending vehicle nearly strike the left median curb.

A traffic stop was conducted, and the vehicle came to a stop in a parking lot near Lomas Blvd and Hotel Cir.

During the traffic stop, the NMSP officer identified the driver, Julian Paras, as the only occupant and noted signs of possible impairment, including a strong odor of alcohol and bloodshot, watery eyes.

The criminal complaint states that when the officer asked where Paras was going, Paras stated he was going home, and when asked where he was coming from, Paras also stated home. Upon clarification, Paras said he had left his house to meet friends at Dirty Bourbon but was now returning home.

Paras admitted to consuming a few alcoholic drinks prior to driving. The NMSP officer then requested Paras to exit the vehicle.

While speaking face-to-face with the driver about the reason for the traffic stop, the officer reported detecting a strong odor of alcohol on the driver’s breath and continued to observe signs of impairment, including bloodshot and watery eyes.

The New Mexico State Police officer initiated a DWI investigation and administered standardized field sobriety tests, which, per the criminal complaint, the driver reportedly failed, leading the officer to determine the driver was impaired and place him under arrest for DWI at about 1:55 AM.

After being taken to the State Police office, Paras underwent a breath test. Following the required 20-minute waiting period, the results showed alcohol levels at or above the legal limit.

Paras’s driving history revealed no prior DWI convictions, making this arrest his first DWI offense.

After completion of booking paperwork, Paras was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center.