Former APD Officer Awaits April 2027 Sentencing
Honorio Alba appeared at a federal hearing in the Albuquerque DWI corruption case as attorneys cite months of evidence review.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Former Albuquerque Police Department officer Honorio Alba appeared at a federal court hearing on November 9, 2026, related to a DWI corruption scheme within the department. Judge David Urias set Alba's sentencing for April 2027.
Why it matters
The case is part of a broader federal RICO prosecution tied to corruption within the Albuquerque Police Department. Residents of Albuquerque may be interested in how the case affects public trust in local law enforcement.
Alba pleaded guilty in early 2025 to federal RICO conspiracy charges and is now scheduled for sentencing in April 2027. The defense says reviewing the evidence, which includes millions of documents and terabytes of media, will take months.
The players
Honorio Alba
A former Albuquerque Police Department officer who pleaded guilty to federal RICO conspiracy charges tied to the department's DWI corruption scheme.
David Urias
A federal judge presiding over the case who questioned prosecutors about the delay and set the sentencing dates.
The details
Alba was caught lying on a federal wiretap ahead of his guilty plea, according to the hearing record. At the same hearing, former paralegal Ricardo Mendez appeared, and Judge Urias will set Mendez's sentencing for May 2027, while former APD Officer Lucas Perez was a no-show at his federal status hearing.
Timeline
Early 2025: Alba pleaded guilty to federal RICO conspiracy charges.
August 2026: Evidence was handed over to the defense.
November 9, 2026: Federal court hearing held in Albuquerque.
April 2027: Alba's sentencing is scheduled.
Legal Context
Alba's case is one of several federal RICO prosecutions arising from the Albuquerque Police Department's DWI corruption scheme. The hearing advances sentencing timelines for multiple defendants as courts work through large volumes of discovery.
Residents of Albuquerque may be affected by the continued legal proceedings involving former police officers, which shape oversight of the department. The case's long timeline means public records and court dates will remain relevant for months.
The takeaway
The Alba case shows how large evidence volumes can extend federal corruption prosecutions well beyond initial plea agreements. Readers following Albuquerque police accountability can track upcoming sentencing dates in the federal court record.
What happens next
Mendez's sentencing date is to be set by Judge Urias for May 2027, and Alba is scheduled to return for sentencing in April 2027.
Further reading
For more on local police accountability, see Law Enforcement coverage in Albuquerque.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KRQE 13.
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