Sixth APD DWI Officer Pleads Guilty in Expansive DWI Case Dismissal Scandal

Albuquerque –

Former Albuquerque Police Department DWI Sergeant Lucas Perez pleaded guilty in federal court today, confessing to his involvement in a long-standing conspiracy with a local attorney and his paralegal. The conspiracy aimed to dismiss DWI cases in exchange for cash and gifts.

Perez was placed on leave by APD on March 24, 2025. He resigned a day later. Perez was hired at APD in 2016; he served in the DWI unit from 2018 to 2024 and later tested to become the sergeant for the unit. 

The FBI is conducting a criminal investigation into allegations of illegal conduct. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will determine whether any criminal charges will be filed against individuals accused of violating federal laws.

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. Two retired APD officers have since been implicated the conspiracy and placed in the Brady-Giglio disclosure list.

• Albuquerque Police Lieutenant Justin Hunt – resigned on February 7, 2024.
• Commander Mark Landavazo – put 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. Took a plea deal on April 29, 2025.
• Albuquerque Police Officer Nelson Ortiz – resigned on March 15, 2024. Took a plea deal on March 24, 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 – put 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 – put on administrative leave on October 16, 2024.
• Albuquerque Police Lieutenant Kyle Curtis – put on administrative leave on January 24, 2025. Retired on January 28, 2025.
• Albuquerque Police Lieutenant Matthew Chavez – put on administrative leave on January 24, 2025.
• Retired Albuquerque Police Officer Timothy McCarson – retired when named on January 24, 2025, not a current officer.
• Retired Albuquerque Police Officer Steve Hindi – was fired in December 2015, attempted to harass and intimidate an investigator from the Civilian Police Oversight Agency in response to a complaint against him. Implicated in the DWI Scheme in May 2025, added to the Brady-Giglio list Monday, May 12.
• Albuquerque Police Sergeant Lucas Perez – put on administrative leave on March 24, 2025. Resigned on March 25, 2025. Took a plea deal on Tuesday, May 27, 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 – put on administrative leave on March 7, 2025.

Ricardo (Rick) Mendez took a plea deal on January 24, 2025. On February 12, 2025, Thomas Clear III took a plea deal for his role in this scheme.

Six of the former APD officers who have left the department have since plead guilty to federal charges for their roles in the DWI conspiracy: Neill Elsman, Honorio Alba, Joshua Montaño, Nelson Ortiz, Harvey Johnson, and Lucas Perez.

Former BCSO deputy Jeff Hammerel also pleaded guilty to federal charges. In total, seven law enforcement officers have pleaded guilty.

Anyone else named is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.