A Lincoln County, New Mexico sheriff deputy arrested in an El Paso prostitution sting allegedly offered $100 to an undercover officer for sexual services, court documents state.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Michael Luciano Gallardo allegedly used an adult website known for escort ads to solicit a prostitute in El Paso, a complaint affidavit states.
The woman he was messaging was actually an undercover officer working in a joint prostitution sting between the El Paso Police Department’s Vice Unit and Texas Department of Public Safety state troopers.
Gallardo was arrested on Wednesday, April 29, on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution. His arrest was announced by Lincoln County Sheriff Michael Wood in a video posted on the sheriff’s office Facebook page.
No attorney is listed for Gallardo in court records.
New Mexico deputy allegedly offers $100 for sex
Police officers and state troopers were posting advertisements soliciting prostitution in exchange for money on an adult escort website. The sites include photos of nude women advertising sexual services for a fee.
Gallardo contacted a woman with an ad on the site. The person was an undercover law enforcement officer in El Paso.
He allegedly asked the woman if she was available for a “QV,” which means a quick visit of about 30 minutes for sex. The woman replied that a “quick visit” would cost $100.
Gallardo and the woman allegedly agreed on the $100 payment and on where they would meet, according to the criminal complaint. The location was the Wyndham Hotel, 2027 Airway Blvd., in East El Paso.
He arrived at the hotel and the undercover officer sent him the location of the room, the affidavit states. Gallardo walked into the room and was met by the undercover officer. The officer arrested Gallardo on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution.
He was booked into the El Paso County jail on Wednesday, April 29, on a $1,000 bond. He posted bail and was released from jail the same day, jail logs show. Jail records list Gallardo as living in Capitan, New Mexico.
New Mexico sheriff addresses arrest of deputy
Wood stated Gallardo “doesn’t work for me anymore,” after the arrest. He added that he is notifying the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board for review of Gallardo’s certification to operate as a peace officer in New Mexico.
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: New Mexico deputy allegedly offered $100 to undercover officer for sex
Reporting by Aaron Martinez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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