Former Ohkay Owingeh Police Department officer Justin Aguino was taken back into custody after violating the terms of his pre-trial release. Aguino’s release conditions were revoked following his failure to comply with requirements, which led the FBI to issue a wanted poster and offer a reward for information on his whereabouts.
Aguino had initially been arrested and charged with obstruction of justice and making false statements. Authorities allege that he used his position as an officer to interfere with a federal grand jury investigation by sharing confidential information about ongoing investigations by Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration with someone not involved in the case. When questioned by FBI agents in 2022, Aguino denied disclosing any information.
He was released on July 6, 2023, under specific conditions while awaiting trial. However, on August 22, 2024, the Isleta Tribal Court issued a bench warrant after Aguino failed to appear at a child support hearing. Pretrial Services officers later found that Aguino’s phone number was no longer active, which violated his obligation to report changes in contact details and maintain communication.
On November 25, 2025, the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office announced a reward for tips leading to Aguino’s arrest. He was apprehended on Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo the next day. On December 1, 2025, Aguino appeared in federal court and is now detained pending trial; the original trial date set for October 2024 has not yet been rescheduled.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: “All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” The announcement was made jointly by Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office.
The investigation is being handled by the Santa Fe office of the FBI with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Region III Drug Enforcement Task Force. Criminal Chief Niki Tapia-Brito is prosecuting the case.
