Paul Jessen, Jr., Obstruction, New Mexico 2023

LUBBOCK, Texas – A former Bernalillo County, New Mexico Sheriff’s Office detective, Paul Jessen, Jr., 36, was convicted of obstructing Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigations and making a false statement to the FBI.

According to the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, Jessen was convicted on July 10 of one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, two counts of obstruction of justice, and one count of making a false statement.

The trial was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after a recusal by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas prosecuted the case.

“Paul Jessen, Jr. violated his oath, betrayed his position of public trust and jeopardized the safety of fellow law enforcement officers when he compromised DEA operations by providing confidential information to a known drug trafficker” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “When given the opportunity to do the right thing, Jessen compounded his criminality by lying to the FBI and further obfuscating justice.

Prosecutors introduced text messages between Jessen and former BCSO Detective Kyle Linker, which showed that the two harbored personal animus against the DEA in Albuquerque. In one message, Linker wrote: “I should tell [confidential informant] to tip off [drug trafficker] hahahaha.” Jessen replied, “Do it!”

Paul Jessen, Jr. was convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice, and making a false statement. The trial was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The defendant is currently in custody.

The integrity of the criminal justice system depends on law enforcement officers honoring their oath and protecting the sensitive information entrusted to them. By tipping off the subject of an active investigation, Jessen not only compromised investigative efforts but also put fellow law enforcement personnel in unnecessary risk and betrayed the public's confidence, said Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/bernalillo-county-sheriffs-deputy-convicted-tipping-dea-targets