Fourth former APD officer admits to role in DWI scheme

Yahoo

24-03-2025

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Former Albuquerque Police Department officer Nelson Ortiz admitted to his role in the DWI scandal Monday, becoming the fifth former law enforcement member to do so. Ortiz pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by extortion under color of official right.
Albuquerque lawyer claims false statements implicated him in DWI scheme
Ortiz first joined APD in 2016 and served in APD's DWI Unit in 2018 before joining the Motors Unit in 2021. According to the plea agreement, Ortiz worked with paralegal Ricardo 'Rick' Mendez and Defense Attorney Thomas Clear III to get DWI cases dismissed between April 2020 and January 2024.
According to court documents, the officers who were a part of what the feds call a 'DWI enterprise' would target DWI suspects they believed could pay expensive retainer fees, then funneled those people to Clear and his Mendez. The officers, including Ortiz, would conspire to miss court, ensuring the case could get dismissed.
In exchange, the officers were paid cash or received other gifts like free legal services, gift cards, hotel rooms, and tickets to sporting events. In Ortiz's case, he specifically said he received cash payments of at least $500.
He also admitted to federal investigators that even after leaving the DWI unit, he continued to refer DWI suspects arrested by other APD officers to Mendez and Clear.
In addition to getting cases dismissed, Ortiz also said he received a 'referral fee' for helping recruit officers to join the 'DWI Enterprise' and set up meetings for recruits with Mendez and/or Clear. Ortiz told the feds Mendez would also use his name to help recruits feel comfortable participating because he'd risen through APD's ranks to sergeant.
After learning of his connection to the 'DWI Enterprise,' APD placed Ortiz on paid administrative leave. He then resigned in March 2024, just days after investigators with Internal Affairs tried to schedule an interview with him about the scheme.
He was one of the first APD officers federal investigators named, and on Jan. 2, 2024, the U.S. Attorney requested he be added to the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Giglio list, meaning he's no longer a credible witness. As a result, the DA was forced to drop 17 of Ortiz's pending cases.
Ortiz faces up to 20 years in prison. KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret caught up with his attorney after Monday morning's court hearing, and he declined to comment on the former officer's confession.
At this time, Ortiz's case stands out compared to the other plea agreements for former APD officers Honorio Alba Jr., Joshua Montaño, Neill Elsman, and Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jeff Hammerel, who each faced multiple counts.
Federal investigators said the DWI scheme dates back to 1995 and also involved other BCSO members and New Mexico State Police staff.
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