Former Ohkay Owingeh Police Department officer Justin Aguino has been returned to federal court after violating the terms of his pre-trial release. Aguino’s release was revoked following his failure to comply with conditions set by the court, which led the FBI to issue a wanted poster and ultimately resulted in his arrest.
Aguino had initially been arrested and charged with obstruction of justice and making false statements. Authorities allege that while serving as an officer, he used his position to hinder a federal grand jury investigation by sharing information about an ongoing Homeland Security Investigations and Drug Enforcement Administration case with someone not involved in the investigation. When questioned by FBI special agents in 2022, Aguino denied disclosing any information.
He was released on July 6, 2023, under specific conditions pending trial. However, on August 22, 2024, the Isleta Tribal Court issued a bench warrant for Aguino after he failed to appear at a child support hearing. Attempts by Pretrial Services to contact him revealed that his phone number was no longer active, constituting violations for failing to report changes in contact details and not maintaining communication with officers.
On November 25, 2025, the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office announced a reward for information leading to Aguino’s capture. He was arrested at Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo one day later. On December 1, 2025, Aguino appeared in federal court and was detained pending trial; the trial date has not yet been rescheduled after its original October 2024 setting.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: “This case was investigated by the Santa Fe office of the Federal Bureau Investigation with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Region III Drug Enforcement Task Force.” Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris joined Ellison in announcing these developments.
Criminal Chief Niki Tapia-Brito is prosecuting this case.
“All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”