Acting Police Chief in N.M. Faces Bribery Charge

March 21, 2012
Sunland Park acting police Chief Luis Monarez was arrested Monday afternoon in Sunland Park, and the city's mayor-elect, Daniel Salinas, faces new charges related to bribery.

LAS CRUCES -- Sunland Park acting police Chief Luis Monarez was arrested Monday afternoon in Sunland Park, and the city's mayor-elect, Daniel Salinas, faces new charges related to bribery, authorities said Monday.

Salinas is alleged to have installed Monarez as acting chief in exchange for Monarez getting his sister to not run against Salinas ally and incumbent City Councilor Jessica Avila in the city's District 6 race, said prosecutor Scot Key of the Doca Ana County district attorney's office.

Monarez and Salinas each face charges of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery --cfourth-degree felonies. Their bonds have been set at $50,000 cash only, Key said.

In addition, state police are executing search warrants at the city police department and Monarez's home, seeking evidence connected to the alleged crime, Key said.

Salinas was arrested in late February on four felony extortion allegations. He's alleged to have orchestrated a threat against his main mayoral competitor, Gerardo Hernandez, using a lap-dance video. Salinas has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Salinas was elected mayor March 6, but has yet to be formally installed because conditions of his jail release -- on the extortion charges --ckeep him from talking with city staff or setting foot on city property.

Diana Alba Soular may be reached at [email protected]; 575-541-5443.

Copyright 2012 El Paso Times, a MediaNews Group NewspaperAll Rights Reserved

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