Home / Crime and Justice / NM Officer Admits 'Drinking All Day' Before Work
NM Officer Admits 'Drinking All Day' Before Work
13 Feb
Summary
- Officer admitted to drinking alcohol throughout the entire day.
- Her blood alcohol content was found to be twice the legal limit.
- She has been placed on administrative duty pending investigations.
Santa Fe Police Officer Maureen Lujan, 33, faces an aggravated DWI charge after admitting to "drinking all day" prior to reporting for duty on Wednesday, February 11. A Santa Fe Police sergeant became suspicious of Lujan's sobriety upon her arrival at the station.
The sergeant reported that Lujan sounded upset when she called, stating she would be late. Upon arrival, Lujan's eyes were "bloodshot and watery," and she admitted to consuming alcohol, specifically two tallboy Coors Lights, starting around 11:00 AM.
Lujan confirmed she drove from her Rio Rancho home to the Santa Fe Police Department. After failing field sobriety tests, she was arrested. Breathalyzer tests indicated a blood alcohol content of 0.19 and 0.18, exceeding New Mexico's threshold for aggravated DWI.
Santa Fe Police Deputy Chief Ben Valdez stated Lujan, a two-year officer, was immediately placed on administrative duty, barring public contact. She pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on her own recognizance. An internal investigation is also underway, with a pretrial hearing scheduled for March 2.
