ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The number of DWI cases being dropped is growing amid a federal investigation involving Albuquerque Police Department officers. Monday night, Albuquerque City Councilors grilled city leaders and APD about why the department has been so tight-lipped in the wake of the bombshell revelations. “Probably could be one of the biggest corruption cases APD has ever experienced, the city has ever experienced,” said Councilor Dan Lewis.
DWI case dismissed in federal investigation involved man who shot at APD officers
That federal investigation has forced the state to drop charges in more than 150 DWI cases handled by Albuquerque police officers. “That means we’re letting these offenders, these drunk drivers, back on the street, free to go do it again,” said Councilor Louie Sanchez.
News 13 learned the federal investigation surrounds accusations of officers being paid to get DWI cases dismissed like Alexander Borson-Pope who was arrested in December for what would have been his fifth DWI had he been convicted. Court documents say he was passed out behind the wheel of a Jeep and then got physical with officers. That case was dismissed along with the cases against Victor Belarde and Anna Sanchez who have each escaped a potential fourth DWI conviction.