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Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bernalillo County sheriff says he 'cut off the head of the snake' in firing undersheriff tied to DWI scheme
Feb. 27—Two black eyes. A gut punch. Betrayal. Those are a few of the words Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen used to describe his feelings after realizing his "right-hand man" — former Undersheriff Johann Jareno — was tied to one of the largest public corruption cases to hit New Mexico. In a lengthy speech Thursday that followed a briefing on a deputy shooting, Allen at times held back tears and slammed his fist on the podium, saying it was "an easy decision" to fire Jareno last weekend after his growing suspicions inched closer to reality. "I have now cut the head off of the snake," he said. The comments were Allen's most public since attorney Thomas Clear III, his paralegal Ricardo "Rick" Mendez, several officers and one Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office deputy took plea deals admitting they ran a scheme taking bribes to let DWI cases get dismissed. Jareno has not been charged in the case. The sheriff's statements came a day after the Journal published a story about a photo of Allen standing with Mendez, Jareno and his command staff after a lunch at Little Anita's in 2023 — at a time when the corruption was still ongoing. "If I ever knew that Mr. Jareno and that Mr. Mendez were doing what they were doing ... do you think in all hell I would ever have lunch with them? No, I would not," Allen said. He added that anyone who thinks otherwise is "an idiot." Allen said "it's OK for me to have lunch" and, as an elected official, he takes "hundreds of photos a week with people." He said Jareno introduced him to Mendez in 2021 and the pair, at the lunch and in a few other meetings, only ever spoke of tackling crime, behavioral health and corruption. "In hindsight, that's very odd," Allen said. He saw Mendez, who Allen said was a Republican, as a way to reach across the aisle for answers to some of his questions and collaboration. At one point, the sheriff appeared to criticize the media's portrayal of him. "I know you have a job and a story to do, but we're getting to the line in reference to this case where you're starting to defame my character. I don't appreciate it at all," he said, also defending Maj. Hollie Anderson and Undersheriff Aaron Williamson, who were also in the photo. "... I don't like the way the perception of my name and the two people standing beside me, how it is going in the media." Allen, who previously complained about federal authorities leaving him out of the loop, said he understands now why they didn't trust him with information. "Of course they're going to suspect me. When you find me in a photo with this guy, what a piece of crap. And then he's put me in a very bad position," he said Thursday. Allen said his relationship with the FBI changed when he went to Washington, D.C., and shrunk his circle to include only federal authorities and one person within BCSO. Around that time, deputy Jeff Hammerel, who has since pleaded guilty, was interviewed by FBI. Afterward, he said, Hammerel came to him and said: "You've been left in the dark, sheriff; you're a good person... This started before you got here, but it continued into your tenure." Allen said his reaction: throwing up in the garbage can next to his desk. His next step was using his skills as a longtime investigator to watch Jareno and how he acted. What Allen saw, he said, "scared me." "I have trust in all the people that serve with me. I've never been betrayed like this in my life, and I'm pretty freaking pissed off right now," Allen said, slamming his fist on the podium. "The parameters and obstacles that I put here verified information that I did not want to believe was true." He said Jareno called him on Saturday and, in a conversation Allen knew was coming, told the sheriff he was interviewed by FBI agents. Allen said, "That was the nail in the coffin for me." Less than 24 hours later, after verifying some things with the FBI, he said he fired the man who stood by his side for more than a year. Allen said something that may have come as a surprise before was only "disappointing and disheartening" in the end. Allen said anyone involved in the DWI scheme or who knew about it and didn't do anything to stop it should "get the hell out of my agency." "The next question I have: was there anybody in this agency that I need to be worried about? I couldn't answer that right now. I have to let the investigation continue," he said. "Do I think that the scheme goes as deep as other people? I can't answer that either. We've seen this thing blow up in the last 16, 17, 18 months. Nothing at this point really surprises me anymore."
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
‘Pissed off' sheriff slams podium speaking on BCSO's connection to DWI scheme
BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said he feels 'pissed off' after he lost his right-hand man, who was implicated in a massive public corruption scandal involving drunk driving arrests. 'I have never been betrayed like this in my life, and I'm pretty freaking pissed off right now,' Allen said while slamming his podium Thursday. Johann Jareno was appointed to undersheriff by Allen in January 2023. He is now said to be part of an ongoing federal investigation into a DWI dismissal 'enterprise,' in which Albuquerque-area law enforcement officers are accused of working with a local defense attorney to get drunk driving cases dismissed in exchange for cash and other bribes. Federal investigators said the case involves members of the Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico State Police, and BCSO, who worked with attorney Thomas Clear III and his paralegal Ricardo 'Rick' Mendez. Sheriff Allen said Jareno informed him on Saturday that the feds interviewed him. On Sunday, Jareno resigned at the request of the sheriff. 'It completely makes me sick. And I literally got sick and threw up in my garbage can,' said Allen. Related Coverage 'Unconscionable:' Mayor talks DWI scheme, expresses trust in Albuquerque police 'We held people accountable': Chief takes credit for ending DWI scheme within APD Former APD officer named in scheme now trains DWI officers for state of New Mexico Former U.S. Attorney speaks out on DWI Unit scandal 2 Albuquerque police officers who resigned amid DWI Unit scandal now working for CYFD Governor, state's top cop respond to DWI corruption scheme Allen explained that he only became suspicious about his undersheriff after the feds interviewed now former BCSO deputy Jeffrey Hammerel in January. Allen said following that interview, Jareno's body language changed, and the sheriff said the feds wouldn't talk to him. 'How in the hell would the FBI ever trust me when my right-hand man who speaks for me would give me any other information? That is another red flag,' Allen said. The sheriff said the FBI is talking to him now, but said a photo of him, Jareno, two other BCSO command staff members, and Mendez at a lunch they had isn't helping him convince the feds he's not involved. 'Of course they're going to suspect me when you find me in a photo with this guy. What a piece of crap. And then he's put me in a very bad position, and anybody can spin everything and anything they want,' said Allen. The sheriff addressed potential suspicions that community members might have. 'If anybody out there in the public thinks that I had my command staff and we are connected here asking about a DWI scheme, you are an idiot,' Allen said. Allen also sounded off on the circumstances surrounding the lunch he and his staff had with Mendez. 'Folks, it's okay for me to have lunch. The question should be who paid for the lunch, and did I accept any gifts from Mr. Mendez? No. Do people buy me lunch? Yes. Do I take photos with people? Folks, I take 100 photos a week with people. I am a politician and the sheriff of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office. If I ever knew that Mr. Jareno and that Mr. Mendez were doing what they were doing along with the DWI scheme, I'm gonna ask you a question back, do you think in all hell I would ever have a lunch with him? No, I would not.' He said the outing happened in February 2023, not long after he became sheriff. According to Allen, Jareno set up the lunch with Mendez and invited the rest of the command staff. During the lunch, the sheriff said they discussed his campaign. 'Mr. Mendez is on the Republican side. I'm on the Democratic side. I'm speaking to a Republican. I thought I was able to reach across the aisle and get some answers and some questions that the Republican side had, and I'm completely side blasted now, betrayed, disappointed,' said Allen. In a previous interview with KRQE Investigates, the sheriff called Mendez a friend, said they've known each other since 2021, and that he donated $200 to his campaign. That language changed Thursday. 'I wouldn't even call it a friendship. I would distance myself far away from that piece of crap that I can,' Allen said. The sheriff is now looking at moving forward without Jareno. 'This isn't a black eye to the agency. This is a gut punch. This is a kick to my balls and two black eyes, to be honest with you,' the sheriff said. 'What do I do to stop that? And how do we move forward? The rank and file that's out there right now fighting crime. Now they have some gaps in leadership. I always take decisive action. How do we move forward and do it correctly?' Jareno is the first BCSO employee who has resigned due to alleged involvement in the DWI scheme. Former deputy Hammerel pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to participating in the scheme. In his confession, he said an unnamed supervisory deputy assured him he wouldn't get in trouble. KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret asked the sheriff if Hammerel was referring to Jareno. Allen said he wouldn't directly answer the question, and added that he doesn't want to hinder the FBI's investigation. Watch the full Q&A with Sheriff Allen below: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
Bernalillo County Sheriff's deputy pleads guilty in DWI Unit scandal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The first Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office deputy named in the DWI Unit scandal has pled guilty to federal extortion and bribery charges. Jeff Hammerel was placed on leave in January after he was implicated after the first person in the scandal, Rick Mendez, pled guilty. Hammerel resigned from BCSO on Tuesday. Related Coverage: APD chief talks DWI officers convicted by feds, explains impact on internal investigation Bernalillo County Sheriff's deputy pleads guilty in DWI Unit scandal BCSO undersheriff resigns amid DWI dismissal scandal New Mexico State Police Chief addresses federal probe of DWI Sgt. DWI Advocate Reacts To Corruption Scheme Hammerel joined BCSO in February 2010 and served in the DWI Unit from January 2013 to November 2024. After going through court records, KRQE Investigates found that he had 24 cases with former attorney Thomas Clear III, and 15 of those cases were dismissed. Earlier this month, Clear III admitted to running the scheme. Former APD officers Honorio Alba Jr., Joshua Montaño, and Neill Elsman all pled guilty to charges relating to the scandal. New Mexico State Police Officer Toby Lafave has been placed on leave relating to the scandal. Former BCSO Undersheriff Johann Jareno resigned on Monday. Jareno has been placed on the Giglio List which means his credibility in court has been questioned. The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office said it is reviewing Jareno's cases to determine if any need to be dismissed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Yahoo
BCSO undersheriff resigns amid DWI dismissal scandal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A leader of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's command staff has resigned in light of new developments tied to an ongoing investigation in the DWI dismissal scandal. On Monday, Undersheriff Johann Jareno resigned at the request of Sheriff John Allen, according to a statement sent by a Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office spokesperson. 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 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 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 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 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
