ALBUQUERQUE – A former Albuquerque Police Department officer has pleaded guilty in federal court as part of a growing investigation into misconduct surrounding DWI cases.
According to reporting by KOAT-TV, Louis Henckel, previously assigned to APD’s DWI unit from 2017 to 2019, admitted to participating in a conspiracy alongside disbarred attorney Thomas Clear III and his paralegal, Ricardo Mendez. The New Mexico Supreme Court has barred Clear from practicing law in the state.
Henckel was fired from APD in April 2021 for policy violations involving truthfulness and failure to report officer misconduct. He was later added to the Brady-Giglio list, which flags credibility issues for law enforcement officers who testify in court.
The FBI continues to investigate the broader case, which centers on alleged misconduct during DWI arrests. Since the probe began in 2024, thirteen officers have left the department, and six have pleaded guilty to federal charges.
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