Albuquerque, New Mexico- A local resident has come forward with a harrowing tale of being caught up in the Albuquerque Police Department’s (APD) DWI Unit’s extortion scandal. The individual, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared their story in hopes of preventing others from experiencing the same injustice.
The incident occurred last summer when the individual, who had never been in trouble before, was falsely charged with a DWI after a routine traffic stop. Despite passing multiple sobriety tests and blowing below the legal limit on a breathalyzer, they were still charged with a DWI by Officer Joshua Montaño. The officer then directed them towards a shady attorney who promised to make the charges disappear for $8,500.
Ultimately, the FBI became involved, and the individual’s case was dismissed. However, the repercussions were severe. Their family relationships were strained, they lost their dream of homeownership, and they suffered from depression and anxiety. The individual is now seeking justice and accountability by pursuing a lawsuit against the APD and the City of Albuquerque with the help of the ACLU.
The individual’s story sheds light on the corruption and abuse of power within the APD’s DWI Unit, and they hope that by sharing their experience, others will come forward to prevent similar injustices from occurring in the future. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that no one has to endure the same nightmare they went through.
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Photo credit www.aclu-nm.org