Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
SANTA FE – Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan allegedly attempted to file perjury charges against two witnesses that testified against him during his criminal trial earlier this month, and now prosecutors say Lujan may have committed another crime.
At a Monday afternoon status hearing, special prosecutor Andrea Rowley Reeb said New Mexico State Police notified her that a Rio Arriba sheriff’s deputy approached them about Lujan wanting to file charges against witnesses Cody Lattin and Ernest Saucedo, both law enforcement officers who testified against Lujan at his trial.
Created: June 03, 2021 10:01 PM
TIERRA AMARILLA, N.M.- The criminal trial against the sitting sheriff of Rio Arriba County has been sent to the jury for deliberation.
Sheriff James Lujan is accused of harboring a fugitive and threatening or intimidating a witness.
Sheriff Lujan did not testify on day two of testimony and attorneys for both sides wrapped up their closing arguments Thursday afternoon.
The embattled sheriff is accused of interfering when Espanola Police were in a high speed chase back in 2017 and officers were in pursuit of suspect Phillip Chacon.
Prosecutors say Sheriff Lujan was friends with the suspect and wanted to help him. Court records claim he instructed Phillip Chacon to gather his belongings and get in his patrol vehicle to avoid arrest.
SANTA FE, N.M. — A mistrial was declared in the trial of Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan because the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Lujan was facing felony charges of bribery…