⏱ 2 min read
A former Ohkay Owingeh police officer, Justin Aguino, 31, has pleaded guilty to using his position to disclose sensitive information about a federal investigation in New Mexico. On February 26, 2020, Aguino made a phone call to an individual, revealing that a person they knew was cooperating with federal authorities. This move was a blatant attempt to interfere with an ongoing investigation involving Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Aguino’s actions didn’t go unnoticed, and when confronted by FBI agents in 2022, he denied sharing the information. However, his troubles didn’t end there. After being released on conditions pending trial on July 6, 2023, Aguino failed to appear for a child support hearing in August 2024, prompting a tribal bench warrant. He also violated his release conditions by failing to maintain contact with Pretrial Services.
The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office offered a reward for information leading to Aguino’s capture, and he was eventually arrested on the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo on November 26, 2025. Aguino was detained pending trial and has now pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, facing up to 15 months in prison at sentencing.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Region III Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Niki Tapia-Brito is prosecuting the case.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Public Corruption
- Defendant: New Mexico
- Location: NM
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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