ACLU Lawsuit Reveals DWI Scheme Rocking Albuquerque Police
A civil rights group has taken legal action against the city of Albuquerque, its police department, and top officials following revelations about a DWI (driving while intoxicated) scheme. The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, includes allegations that individuals arrested on suspicion of DWI were coerced into paying bribes to have the charges dropped. This scandal has triggered a federal investigation and an internal inquiry within the police department of New Mexico’s largest city, leading to the firing of a police commander, resignation of several others, and dismissal of numerous cases.
The ACLU’s lawsuit, launched on behalf of Carlos Sandoval-Smith, highlights a disturbing agreement between some officers in the DWI Unit and a local attorney’s office. This agreement allegedly involved working together to dismiss cases in exchange for payment. Sandoval-Smith, identified as a victim of this scheme spanning five years, expressed the devastating impact it had on his life, including losing his business, home, and dignity. The lawsuit aims not only to seek justice for Sandoval-Smith but also to prevent others from experiencing similar abuse.
In addition to the ongoing internal investigation initiated by the police department in February, the FBI is conducting its own inquiry into the alleged illegal activities. As of now, no charges have been brought forth, with the final decision resting with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to determine if federal laws were violated.
The lawsuit outlines how officers implicated in the complaint would refer DWI cases to a specific attorney, agreeing not to participate in legal proceedings so that charges could be dropped. The police department was reportedly made aware of these allegations by federal authorities in 2022, but it is claimed that an adequate investigation was not conducted. In Sandoval-Smith’s case, he was stopped for speeding in June 2023, and despite performing well on sobriety tests, he was arrested following the expansion of the traffic stop into a DUI investigation without valid suspicion.
The ACLU’s complaint also points to alleged negligence in the hiring, training, and supervision practices of the police department. The civil rights group’s legal director, Maria Martinez Sanchez, hopes that the lawsuit will lead to reforms aimed at rooting out what she described as “systemic corruption” within the law enforcement agency.
As the case continues to unfold, the city and police chief are expected to address these troubling accusations, shedding light on a deeply concerning situation within the Albuquerque police force.