Bribery Charges Dropped in Case Against N.M. Chief

Bribery charges against a former acting chief of the Sunland Park (N.M.) Police Department have been dropped because of what officials called significant errors within the indictment paperwork.

Ruling on a defense motion, a state judge dismissed Monday the case against Luis Monarez, the Las Cruces Sun-News reports.

"It's a relief," said Monarez, 44, standing next to his wife outside a courtroom at 3rd Judicial District Court. "Finally it's over. As always, I do believe in the justice system. Sadly, I was indicted and it's just a long process."

That process, for Monarez, started in March of 2012 when he was arrested as part of more than 20 mostly related corruption cases reportedly plaguing the south county city.