LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) A judge has dismissed bribery and conspiracy charges against a former interim police chief of Sunland Park. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that District Judge Darren Kugler dismissed the case against Luis Monarez on Monday.
The defense sought the dismissal, arguing that the indictment had errors and lacked specifics. Prosecutors acknowledged that the charges were flawed. The charges had accused Monarez of obtaining the position of interim chief in exchange for getting his sister to not run against another candidate in a City Council race.
Monarez was among those charged in approximately 20 corruption cases in Sunland Park.
