New Mexico Cop Charged With Taking Bribes Also Was Involved in a Bizarre Case of Drug War Infighting

Bernalillo County sheriff’s deputy Paul Jessen Jr. has been charged with taking bribes from Albuquerque lawyer Thomas J. Clear III to undermine DWI cases. The indictment alleges Jessen avoided cash and accepted goods and services instead; his case also connects to a separate episode of conflict between local and federal drug investigators.

The alleged benefits included a large television, tools, a generator, gift cards, hotel stays and legal services. The legal services related to an investigation that led to separate charges: Jessen was convicted last July of helping tip off drug dealer and informant Rod White about DEA activity, partly because he and another deputy resented the agency’s involvement in their cases. White’s home was later found to contain more than 470 grams of methamphetamine, fentanyl pills and a firearm; 13 people have pleaded guilty in the long-running DWI bribery scheme.