Rio Arriba sheriff’s certification suspended
James Lujan can’t carry a gun or make arrests
SANTA FE — Problems keep piling up for Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan.
The embattled sheriff — currently facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges — had his law enforcement certification suspended following a hearing conducted by the Law Enforcement Academy Board on Thursday.
The suspension means Lujan cannot carry a firearm, arrest people or drive in a marked police vehicle.
In a written statement, Attorney General Hector Balderas said the LEA Board made the correct decision regarding Lujan’s certification.
“I am pleased that the Board is taking swift action that will result in increased safety for officers and our communities,” Balderas said in the statement.
Española Police officers arrested Lujan in May for failing to comply with a warrant for his cellphone. The warrant stems from a March incident in which Lujan arrived allegedly drunk to an active SWAT standoff between EPD and former Española City Councilor Phillip Chacon.
EPD Chief Roger Jimenez had said he suspected the out-of-uniform sheriff was attempting to help Chacon flee. Lujan was later arrested on another warrant, this one for a 2017 incident in which Lujan allegedly assisted a wanted Chacon in fleeing police capture.
Ninth Judicial District Attorney Andrea Reeb, whom Balderas appointed to prosecute Lujan, said the suspension of his certification will not impact the prosecution, except the conditions of release, which originally allowed Lujan to keep his firearm.
“I was happy to see the suspension happen,” Reeb said.
Lujan will be able to continue his role as sheriff in a purely administrative role.