ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A former Colfax County Sheriff’s deputy has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking and theft of government property charges.
Prosecutors say 46-year-old Vidal Sandoval, of Cimarron, entered his plea Wednesday.
The FBI and the New Mexico State Police arrested Sandoval in March 2015 for allegedly trying to possess cocaine with intent to distribute in Colfax County the previous month.
He also was accused of stealing money belonging to the FBI.
While on duty in December 2014, Sandoval allegedly stole money from two motorists whom he believed to be drug traffickers.
Sandoval reportedly found $8,000 in cash in the motorists’ vehicle during a traffic stop and kept all but $500 of it. He later learned the cash belonged to the FBI and the two motorists actually were undercover officers.
