Albuquerque –
A third deputy from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has been implicated in the ongoing and still growing DWI scheme investigation. Deputy Jeffry Bartram, who has been with BCSO since February 15, 2010, and served in the DWI unit from July 2014 to August 2020, is currently on paid administrative leave as of Friday, March 7, 2025.
BCSO spokesperson Deanna Aragon stated, “BCSO will not be issuing a press release at this time, as the investigation is still ongoing with the FBI, and I do not have any additional details.”
This follows the resignation of Undersheriff Johann Jareno last month and the resignation and guilty plea of Deputy Jeff Hammerel also in February 2025 in connection to the scandal.
Three former APD officers have been indicted and took plea deals: Neill Elsman, Honorio Alba and Joshua Montaño. One BCSO deputy has been indicted and has taken a plea deal: Jeff Hammerel.
Anyone else named is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
- Albuquerque Police Lieutenant Justin Hunt – resigned on February 7, 2024
- Commander Mark Landavazo – put on admin 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 admin leave on March 7, 2025.
As of this publication, 13 APD officers, three BCSO deputies, and one NMSP officer have been implicated.
Ricardo (Rick) Mendez took a plea deal on January 24, 2025. In a major head scratcher, 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 been implicated based on court documents. In Mendez’s and Alba’s plea agreements, Chavez has been named as a co-conspirator. As of this publication, Chavez has not been charged.
You can read a number of the indictments and plea deals on our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/abqraw
This corrupt behavior by law enforcement here in New Mexico is sad. Some of the same people that citizens depend on are betraying our trust. I’m hoping that this list of dishonest officers is short and I hope that our trust can be reaffirmed.
This isn’t a “scandal” this is blatant corruption. These POS make all the good cops look bad. They need to be held accountable for the corruption that it is, and not downplayed like some “dirty little secret”.
Enjoy the rest of your life in Mexico, Rick.
Nice work judge Molzen
Now you know why I call it Northern Mexico.
BTW: What was the going rate to get out of a DUI?
Wow! Albuquerque really is getting rid of all the trash!!! Good job!!!!
If so many cops were involved with the DWI scandal then what about other cops? I mean surely this means there are police getting paid by drug dealers and other criminals to not arrest them.