A former long-time Albuquerque police spokesperson — a sworn officer who responded to media inquiries during the swing shift — has left the department rather than be interviewed as part of an internal investigation into corruption in the DWI unit. 

Daren DeAguero was informed Tuesday morning that he was a target in the investigation and he was being put on administrative leave, said Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson.

“Investigators scheduled an interview this afternoon, but they were notified that DeAguero submitted his paperwork to retire,” Gallegos said.

He said DeAguero “characterized his separation from the city as a retirement” but “did not follow the process for retiring.”

In a letter to Chief Harold Medina, DeAguero expressed his gratitude for the opportunities he received during his tenure and explained why he chose to leave the department.

“Due to the current situation of receiving a letter of investigation with very limited time to obtain adequate representation to proceed, I unfortunately will be ending my employment from the Albuquerque Police Department effective April 30, 2024,” he wrote.

DeAguero joined APD in 2009 as a lateral hire, Gallegos said. He was with the DWI Unit from 2014 to 2018.

DeAguero is the latest to resign amid the investigation into DWI officers, some of whom have been accused of “working with a local attorney and unlawfully accepting money and/or other compensation in return for dismissing or failing to file DWI charges,” according to misconduct reports that APD made to the state Law Enforcement Certification Board.

Five others — Justin Hunt, Honorio Alba, Joshua Montaño, Nelson Ortiz and Harvey Johnson — have all resigned since the internal investigation launched on Jan. 18. The FBI is also investigating the officers as well as the law office of defense attorney Thomas Clear. 

No one has been charged. 

Two other officers, both members of the Internal Affairs Division, are under investigation but still with the department. Cmdr. Mark Landavazo is on administrative leave and a lieutenant who has not been publicly identified was transferred to another unit.

The internal investigation — led by Cmdr. Kyle Hartsock — was launched days after the FBI raided the homes of some officers and Clear’s office on Jan. 18. When completed it will be submitted to the superintendent of police reform.

On Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Tim Keller released a statement, saying that the city will continue to work with law enforcement partners to “ensure no stone is left unturned” while it awaits the completion of the FBI investigation.

“The people of Albuquerque deserve to have trust that the criminal justice system is working to stop drunk driving,” Keller said. “These allegations of corruption between officers and defense attorneys are a betrayal to the people that police officers are sworn to protect and a betrayal to their fellow officers who put their lives on the line every day for our families.”