Late Thursday, after months of investigation, federal authorities conducted “law enforcement activity,” at several homes of Albuquerque Police Department officers. At the same time, a local defense attorney’s office was also raided by the FBI.

Then the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office dismissed 152 misdemeanor DWI cases, with DA Sam Bregman saying his “prosecutorial ethics” required him to do so. On Monday, Bregman’s office dismissed four felony DWI cases. 

By Friday, some officers were placed on administrative leave, and others were temporarily reassigned to other areas in the department, according to a department spokesman. No official information has been released about the federal investigation.

The following is a brief list of several of APD’s recent and most notable integrity scandals:

  • Late last year, APD Officer Vanessa Santillanes was caught switching price tags from more expensive items at Target to less expensive items, and paying the cheaper price for them. She allegedly stole $160 worth of goods from two stores in this manner. 
  • In 2022, former Albuquerque Police Officer Kenneth Skeens was charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors after unlawfully arresting a man with disabilities, while he was trying to complete a cash purchase at Target.
  • Multiple audits and investigations throughout the years have pointed to officers abusing overtime. In one audit, released in 2020, investigators found that four officers were paid more than $90,000 a year in overtime alone. APD’s former spokesman was fired amid a probe into his overtime claims.
  • In 2014 through 2015, former Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz was investigated for allegations that he was rigging the contract with Taser International Inc, while he was working for the department. APD awarded a $2 million no-bid contract to the company for more than 500 body-worn cameras and five years worth of online video storage. He was not charged.
  • In 2007 APD Officer Levi Chavez found his wife deceased with a gunshot to the head. His service weapon was used in the incident. Chavez was charged with murder but he was acquitted following a trial in 2013. A 2008 civil case brought to light a number of issues within APD, including fraternization among officers, allegations of a stolen truck ring that included transporting guns into Mexico. 
  • In 2004, an anonymous letter claimed APD was mishandling evidence, and stated that weapons, drugs and jewelry were missing from the room. The scandal resulted in then Police Chief Gilbert Gallegos resigning from his position a year later, and the evidence room being shut down. 
  • In 1998, APD Officer Matthew James Griffin was convicted of felony murder, aggravated burglary, five counts of armed robbery and tampering with evidence. Colloquially known as the, “Ninja Bandit,” Griffin stole Cameros and TransAm’s that he used for getaway cars during the robberies, and dressed in all black from head to toe. On April 3, 1998, he killed Michael Howard at an apartment building while attempting to steal a car. One of the guns used to commit these crimes was stolen from the APD evidence room. In all, Griffin stole $35,000 from the bank robberies.