Latest news with #TobyLafave
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Yahoo
7 DWI cases dismissed in connection to DWI Unit scandal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – On Wednesday, the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office said it was forced to dismiss seven additional pending DWI cases related to New Mexico State Police Sgt. Toby Lafave and Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office deputy Jeffery Hammerel after the two lost credibility in court and prosecutors were not able to call them as witnesses. Lafave was placed on administrative leave and Hammerel pled guilty to charges in connection with the DWI Unit Scandal. Related Coverage: 7 DWI cases dismissed in connection to DWI Unit scandal Does the DWI corruption scandal weaken faith in law enforcement? Another Bernalillo County Sheriff's deputy placed on leave in connection to DWI dismissal scandal Attorney at center of DWI scheme officially disbarred Second New Mexico defense attorney implicated in DWI scheme The total number of dismissed cases in Bernalillo County due to officers losing credibility is now up to 269. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Bernalillo County DA's Office dismisses 22 DWI cases involving NMSP officer
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Editor's Note: This story originally said the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office dismissed 23 cases related to the DWI Unit scandal. One of those cases was duplicated making the count 22 dismissed cases. The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office said it was forced to dismiss 22 pending DWI cases connected to a New Mexico State Police officer who was recently placed on leave. NMSP Officer Toby Lafave was placed on leave last week and put on the Giglio List which means he's not a credible witness. Related Coverage: DWI Advocate Reacts To Corruption Scheme First New Mexico State Police officer placed on leave in connection to 'DWI Enterprise' scandal 'Punished before a fair trial': Victims of DWI scheme file class action lawsuit Bernalillo County sheriff vows to cooperate; doesn't trust feds' DWI investigation Who is the Albuquerque defense attorney at center of 'DWI Enterprise' scandal? This follows a federal investigation into attorney Thomas Clear III and officers taking large cash bribes in exchange for dropping people's DWI charges. So far, Clear III, his paralegal Rick Mendez, and three Albuquerque police officers, Honorio Alba Jr., Joshua Montaño, and Neill Elsman, admitted taking bribes. This brings the total number of pending cases dismissed because of the scandal to 252. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
First New Mexico State Police officer placed on leave in connection to ‘DWI Enterprise' scandal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico State Police announced on Friday they have placed Sgt. Toby Lafave on administrative leave as part of the ongoing 'DWI Enterprise' scandal. He is the first NMSP officer to be publicly named in connection to the 'DWI Enterprise' scandal. KRQE's previous coverage of New Mexico State Police Sergeant Toby Lafave's DWI arrests: June 26, 2024: VIDEO: APD officer charged with driving drunk in patrol vehicle Sept. 21, 2020: VIDEO: Accused DWI driver found sleeping in running truck on side of I-25 Dec. 23, 2019: Video shows NMSP officer use SUV to stop accused drunk driver April 24, 2019: Grants police officer arrested for DWI on I-25 in Albuquerque Nov. 20, 2018: State Police officer busts more drunk drivers than any other cop Oct. 4, 2018: Video: Flirty grandma arrested for DWI with grandson in car Oct. 20, 2017: State Police officer moved to tears after DWI stop Sept. 15, 2017: State Police officer makes 100th DWI arrest Throughout his career, Lafave was named Officer of the Month by Mothers Against Drunk Driving twice and has been one of NMSP's most prolific officers in the arrests of drunk drivers. This week, Defense Attorney Thomas Clear III pled guilty to racketeering charges in connection to the scandal. Former APD Officer Neill Elsman also pled guilty this week to conspiracy, extortion, and bribery charges. Last week, former Albuquerque Police Department Officers Honorio Alba Jr. and Joshua Montaño also pled guilty to racketeering charges. Clear's paralegal Rick Mednez was the first to plead guilty in the scandal. Each person who has pled guilty admitted that the Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, and New Mexico State Police were involved in the 'DWI Enterprise.' BCSO placed Jeff Hammerel on leave last month. This is a developing story, KRQE News 13 will provide updates as they become available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
