Created: June 29, 2021 04:56 PM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- Embattled Sheriff James Lujan of Rio Arriba County is accused of trying to intimidate witnesses who testified against him in his criminal trial earlier this month.
Sheriff Lujan is at the center of controversy again after prosecutors learned of an alleged scheme to arrest two witnesses who took the stand against the sheriff earlier this month. The trial ended in a mistrial after the jury could not agree on a verdict.
“What’s problematic to me is the fact that here we have the elected sheriff – the defendant in the case – and he’s still using his power to try to influence his own trial,” said special prosecutor Andrea Reeb.
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.
NewsNow: New Mexico Crime news | Breaking News & Search 24/7 newsnow.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newsnow.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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.