Accused cop in court Tuesday

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A man who was once friends with Albuquerque Police Department officer testified against him Tuesday in federal court.

Shawn Bryan told a federal grand jury that Brad Ahrensfield tipped him off that he was being investigated as the mastermind of a crime ring involving drug and stolen property deals at Bryan's business.

Ahrensfield, who was a 14-year veteran of APD at the time, denies ever being a whistleblower.  He is now facing federal charges of obstruction of justice and lying to the FBI.

Investigators said Bryan, the owner of the Car Shop in Albuquerque, held a contract with APD to buy and maintain undercover APD cars when he was accused of being the ringleader of a crime organization.

FBI and APD investigators were in the middle of arresting his employees when police said Ahrensfield tipped off Bryan about the investigation.

For his testimony, Bryan gets immunity.  He said because of these allegations his business is near bankruptcy.

He no longer holds that contract with APD.

APD put Ahrensfield on paid leave when a grand jury indicted him in December.

The police chief had said if Ahrensfield was acquitted at trial he could get his job back.  Ahrensfield quit the force in March.