APD officer fired in Levi Chavez case

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - APD has fired Detective Russell Perea in connection with the Levi Chavez investigation.  Chavez is the former officer accused of killing his wife Tera.  Perea was working with Chavez around the time of Tera's death.

APD won't get into specifics about why Perea was fired, but says he was in violation of standard operating procedures both on and off duty. 

A civil suit filed by the family of Tera Chavez claims Perea was not truthful about his and Levi's whereabouts around the time Tera died.

Perea's attorney says his client is a scapegoat who never knew Levi Chavez outside of a working relationship.

Another APD officer, Nick Wheeler was suspended Tuesday.  The civil suit says he and Tera Chavez were having an affair.

APD is still conducting an internal affairs investigation into the truck Levi Chavez once owned.  Tera's family believes she was murdered because she threatened to report that Levi staged its theft to get insurance money.