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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Overview of the DWI Corruption Scheme
A massive DWI corruption scandal continues to impact New Mexico’s justice system, with fourteen individuals now facing federal charges. The case involves a network of nearly a dozen former law enforcement officers and defense attorneys accused of conspiring to accept kickbacks for dismissing DWI cases.
Key Figures and Allegations
At the center of the scheme is Thomas Clear III, a former defense attorney who admitted in federal court in February 2025 to operating a criminal enterprise in New Mexico for thirty years. Clear, along with Ricardo “Rick” Mendez, his former paralegal, and multiple former law enforcement officers, allegedly targeted individuals for DWI, extorted them for cash, and arranged for officers to miss court dates, resulting in case dismissals.
Current Court Proceedings and Timelines
Although Clear has admitted his role, he has not had a court hearing in over four months, and no sentencing date has been set. Mendez, the first to plead guilty in January 2025, is scheduled for a status update hearing next week after a series of postponed court dates.
Law Enforcement Officers Facing Charges
Former Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Jessen Jr. is the most recent law enforcement official charged in the federal case. He joins nearly a dozen ex-officers from the metro area. Former Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officer Honorio Alba and Lucas Perez are scheduled to appear in court on Monday; neither has a sentencing date.
Former BCSO deputy Jeff Hammerell, the first charged last February, is expected to be sentenced later this month and may be the first to serve prison time in this case.
Upcoming Sentencing Dates and Delays
In December, three defendants — former APD officers Justin Hunt and Nelson Ortiz, and former defense attorney Rudolph “Rudy” Chavez — have sentencing dates set in Santa Fe. Another, former APD officer Joshua Montaño, admitted to a major role in the corruption but has had his sentencing delayed to early next year due to a large volume of new evidence. Former APD officer Harvey Johnson is also set for sentencing early next year, with Tim McCarson following in February.
As for Louis Henckel and Neill Elsman, two former APD officers, their last court appearances were in May, and their sentencing dates remain unclear.
Additional Related Cases
Paul Jessen Jr. was previously convicted this year for tipping off a drug dealer amid an active federal investigation. He is expected in court this month for the DWI corruption case and will be sentenced for the drug-related conviction in December.
Ongoing Impact on the Justice System
The Department of Justice has not provided public updates on these cases, though federal court records show that judges are actively seeking case status updates for key players. As the scandal unfolds, the proceedings continue to develop, affecting multiple former law enforcement officers and attorneys in New Mexico’s justice system.
Source: krqe.com.
