In a shocking turn for New Mexico law enforcement, former Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officer Harvey Johnson has pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a major DWI case dismissal conspiracy. Johnson admitted on April 29, 2025, that he was part of a long-running scheme involving cash, favors, and corruption—one that has already rocked multiple law enforcement agencies in the state.
The DWI Enterprise Scheme: What Happened?
Federal court records show that Johnson and several others, including local attorney Thomas Clear III and Clear’s paralegal Ricardo Mendez, worked together to illegally dismiss DWI cases. The scheme, which ran between February 18, 2023, and January 18, 2024, involved officers accepting cash and gifts in exchange for dropping or weakening driving while intoxicated charges in court.
Johnson joined APD in 2014 and had been working in the DWI unit since 2021. He was placed on leave in January 2024 along with three other officers. When investigators attempted to schedule an interview, Johnson chose to resign on March 13, 2024.
More Law Enforcement Officers Involved
So far, 13 APD officers have left the department as a result of the federal investigation into the DWI Enterprise Scheme. Out of those, five officers had already taken plea deals, and Johnson is now the sixth to admit guilt in federal court.
Officers Who Pleaded Guilty So Far:
Honorio Alba – February 7, 2025
Joshua Montaño – February 7, 2025
Neill Elsman – February 12, 2025
Jeff Hammerel (Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office) – February 25, 2025
Nelson Ortiz – March 24, 2025
Harvey Johnson – April 29, 2025
In addition, former attorney Thomas Clear III accepted a plea agreement on February 12, 2025, while paralegal Ricardo Mendez did the same on January 24, 2025.
Ongoing Federal Investigation
The FBI is continuing its investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is deciding whether to bring charges against additional people tied to the conspiracy. Investigators have already flagged three Bernalillo County Sheriff’s deputies and one New Mexico State Police officer as being involved.
Former officers and deputies involved in the scheme are now listed on the Brady-Giglio disclosure list, which identifies individuals whose credibility may be questioned in court due to dishonesty or misconduct.
Public Reaction and Department Impact
The case has severely impacted public trust in the APD and surrounding law enforcement agencies. The idea that officers tasked with enforcing DWI laws were secretly helping to dismiss them for personal gain has sparked outrage and prompted calls for internal reform and better oversight.
The guilty plea by Harvey Johnson adds another name to a growing list of law enforcement officials who were part of a corruption ring that actively worked against public safety. While more details are still unfolding, it’s clear that this scandal has triggered one of the largest law enforcement shake-ups in Albuquerque’s recent history. With the FBI’s investigation still active, more charges and plea deals may be on the way, and the full extent of the scheme is yet to be seen.
