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New Mexico agent charged with DWI

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A supervisor with the agency charged with enforcing liquor laws in New Mexico has been charged with drunken driving.

According to documents filed in Lincoln County Magistrate Court, Conrad Chavira was arrested Saturday outside a DWI checkpoint in Ruidoso.

Chavira, 45, is a sergeant with the Special Investigations Division of the state Department of Public Safety, spokesman Peter Olson said.

Chavira has been placed on administrative duties, Olson said.

According to the court documents:

Chavira turned his motorcycle off on N.M. 48 as he approached the checkpoint around 11:15 p.m. Friday. A State Police officer approached and could smell alcohol at 10 feet. Chavira admitted to having two drinks, police say.

When asked to perform field sobriety tests, Chavira responded by saying that he was a police officer. He failed the sobriety tests and later blew a 0.13 on a Breathalyzer. The state deems a person to be legally intoxicated at 0.08.

Chavira was charged with aggravated DWI and failure to use a turn signal. He was also charged with battery on a household member, stemming from the female passenger riding with him when he was arrested.

It was Chavira's second DWI arrest, according to the court documents and MVD records. The prior charge was filed in 1991.

Olson said Chavira would not undertake any law enforcement-related tasks while on administrative duty.

"Obviously, anytime a law enforcement officer, in any capacity, is arrested for DWI, it's embarrassing," Olson said. "Not just for this agency, but for all of law enforcement."

The Special Investigations Division has been the lead agency in a statewide effort to crack down on bars and restaurants that overserve patrons.