No bond reduction for Sunland Park's ex-mayor elect

Click photo to enlarge

Daniel Salinas

Daniel Salinas

LAS CRUCES ? A state judge heard testimony Monday that ex-Sunland Park Mayor-elect Daniel Salinas had threatened the city's former spokesman in the course of carrying out a lap-dance video blackmail plot.

Some details about other criminal cases, such as alleged bribery involving Salinas, surfaced, as well.

Also, state District Judge Susan Riedel rejected Salinas' request to reduce a $100,000 secured bond in a fraud and kickbacks case ? one of four criminal cases pending against the former mayor-elect.

Before issuing the denial, Riedel heard from New Mexico State Police investigator Ricky Herrera, who testified about the parts of his investigation so far.

According to Herrera, former city spokesman Arturo Alba has said he was threatened at one point by Salinas for failing to act quickly enough in digging up unflattering information about Salinas' main challenger in the city's March 6 municipal election. The threat occurred in a Santa Fe hotel room, Herrera said. Herrera didn't specify a date for the Santa Fe incident, but he said Alba was afraid to cross Salinas.

Alleged threats

"He felt threatened enough that his life or his family in Ju?rez was in danger," said Herrera, from the witness stand.

When questioned by Salinas' attorney, Joshua Spencer of El Paso, Herrera said investigators had talked to "several" witnesses who've "expressed concerns over their safety, as far as speaking with us" because of fear of Salinas.

Spencer

asked for names of other witnesses who'd claimed to be fearful, which Herrera said he couldn't provide because he didn't have his notes.

Salinas was in court, but remained shackled and never addressed Riedel.

After the hearing, Spencer questioned information derived from Alba, pointing out that Alba is still a Mexican citizen and faces deportation with any convictions.

"When you have someone facing deportation, they have a good reason to lie ?embellish more than what the truth is," Spencer said. "Based on what I've investigated, he's not a credible person."

Herrera, when questioned by Judicial District prosecutor Steven Blankinship, said that Alba had been given a three-week firing notice by Salinas, soon after Salinas took the city's helm as the top elected official.

That happened about a year ago, when former Mayor Martin Resendiz disappeared from the public eye.

Herrera said Alba was never actually fired, though, because Salinas decided to "keep him on board," thanks to Alba's contacts with local media.

Most of the allegations in an ongoing public corruption investigation in Sunland Park took place late in 2011 or in early 2012, in the months leading up to the city's election.

Alba and Resendiz are two of several city officials and defendants accused of plotting an extortion attempt against former mayoral candidate Gerardo Hernandez. Allegations include that Alba coordinated the hiring of former journalist Jose "Pepe" Reyes, who filmed Hernandez with a topless dancer. A Mexican national, aided by Salinas and former City Manager Jaime Aguilera, later threatened Hernandez with the video's release if he didn't drop out of the race, authorities allege.

Prosecutors have argued previously in court ?though not with great detail ? that Salinas has threatened witnesses in the investigations and cultivated an atmosphere of fear within Sunland Park.

In questioning Herrera on Monday, Spencer re-emphasized that his client is a public official who has no prior criminal history. Spencer noted during the short time Salinas was out of jail on bond, he complied with authorities.

Herrera affirmed that Salinas turned himself in for one of the arrests and didn't resist arrest a third time.

Spencer sought to have the $100,000 secured bond reduced to $10,000, to $15,000 or to $20,000. He contended the high bond is keeping Salinas in jail, which is violating his right to effective legal representation.

Blankinship pointed out that another defendant in the case is accused of hiding, at Salinas' request, potential evidence in advance of a police raid of city offices.

Riedel said, according to evidence so far, Salinas appears to have abused his public office. Plus, she said she was concerned about testimony that Salinas appears to own no property in the United States ? something Herrera had testified about.

"He's not losing anything if he flees to another country," she said. "I think there is serious risk Mr. Salinas may flee the jurisdiction."

Spencer said he was disappointed with the decision.

"You have violent criminals who get bonds much lower than this," he said.

Bribery case

Salinas also has been accused of bribing Luis Monarez, who became acting police chief in Sunland Park. Salinas allegedly offered Monarez the job in exchange for pressuring his sister not to run for a city council seat.

On Monday, Herrera said investigators have an audio recording of a Jan. 9 meeting of Salinas, Monarez and his sister during which the deal was cemented with Monarez signing an employment contract. Monarez recorded the incident, which happened at a Village Inn, Herrera said.

Also, investigators have cell phone messages between Monarez and Salinas about the deal.

Diana Alba Soular can be reached at (575) 541-5443; follow her on Twitter @AlbaSoular.

maurice jones drew megyn kelly richard hamilton richard hamilton paris jackson paris jackson howard stern americas got talent