BCSO undersheriff resigns amid DWI dismissal scandal
Jareno is now said to be part of an ongoing federal investigation into a DWI dismissal 'enterprise,' where Albuquerque-area law enforcement officers are accused of working with a local attorney to get drunk driving cases dismissed in exchange for cash and other bribes. Federal investigators say the case involves members of the Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico State Police, and BCSO who were working with the help of attorney Thomas Clear and his paralegal Ricardo 'Rick' Mendez.
Jareno is the first BCSO employee who has resigned due to alleged involvement in the scheme. BCSO Deputy Jeff Hammerel was placed on leave in January.
Jareno started working with BCSO in March 2009 and served in the DWI Unit from December 2011 until October 2019. He was later appointed undersheriff in January 2023.
KRQE Investigates is working to learn more information. This is a developing story that will be updated.
Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen released the following statement:
'On February 22, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation informed me of an ongoing inquiry that implicates a member of our command staff in the broader investigation into DWI case manipulations. Given the seriousness of the investigation, I took immediate action to preserve the integrity of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office. To prevent any potential conflicts of interest and ensure our agency's focus remains on our mission, I requested andreceived the resignation of Undersheriff Johann Jareno, effective immediately on February 23, 2025. Mr. Jareno began his employment with BCSO in March 2009, serving in the DWI Unit from December 2011 until October 2019, and was appointed Undersheriff in January 2023.Overall, the ongoing DWI investigation has shed light on deep-seated issues in law enforcement that predate my administration, which began in January 2023. I am profoundly disappointed by these revelations, which undermine the hard-earned trust between the community and law enforcement. As Sheriff, my foremost responsibility is to safeguard the trust and safety of our community, which we can only achieve through transparency and ethical conduct.We are fully cooperating with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office to ensure that all aspects of this investigation are thoroughly addressed. I am grateful for the FBI bringing this new development to my attention directly and due to the ongoing nature of this federal inquiry, our comments must be measured, but be assured that transparency and communication will continue to be a priority of my administration.We are undertaking a thorough review of our internal policies and control mechanisms to prevent such incidents in the future. Part of this initiative includes the creation of a new Accountability and Compliance role, enhancing our ability to monitor and enforce ethical conduct within our ranks. The trust between the public and law enforcement is sacred, and I am committed to actions that strengthen this bond. We will be proactive in strengthening thisrelationship through continuous improvement of our operational practices and technological capabilities. This includes enhancements to our monitoring of court attendances and other critical areas of our operations.I am grateful for the community's support and patience as we navigate these challenging times. We will emerge from this challenge stronger and more committed to serving with honor and integrity. We are taking all necessary steps to ensure our department reflects the high standards expected by the people of Bernalillo County.'
Sheriff John Allen
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