ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An Albuquerque police officer, Jonathan Franco, was arrested on Sunday after being stopped at a DWI checkpoint in northwest Albuquerque.
Court documents reveal that Franco approached the DWI checkpoint at Rainbow Boulevard NW and Unser Boulevard NW with his daughter in the backseat. Upon being asked to take a field sobriety test, Franco reportedly did not perform well, leading to his arrest. He later submitted two breath samples, both registering above the legal limit of .08.
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina expressed disappointment over the incident, stating, “We are disappointed that this officer made a bad choice. There are many rideshare options for people to avoid drinking and driving.”
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), who was conducting the checkpoint, emphasized that they would take action against any impaired driver, regardless of their profession, in order to protect the safety of the community. They highlighted the effectiveness of DWI checkpoints in reaching a high volume of motorists compared to standard patrols.
Franco, who faces charges for driving while intoxicated with a minor in the vehicle, was booked and released from the Metropolitan Detention Center. A hearing is scheduled for June 5.
