Feds nab probation officer with pot

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (KRQE) - A juvenile probation officer whose work is geared toward setting a good example for kids is behind bars.

He was busted with drugs in his state-issued car, while on duty.

It happened just days after the officer visited a school to stress to kids the importance of staying out of trouble. Juvenile Probation Officer Saul Velasco, 36, was stopped at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint Wednesday on U.S. Highway 70 west of Alamogordo.

"He was found to have nearly 10 pounds of marijuana in an official New Mexico government vehicle," said Public Affairs Officer Leticia Zamarripa of U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement in El Paso, Texas.

Homeland Security Investigations agents responded to the checkpoint and reported they found 10 bundles of marijuana in a gym bag on the floorboard. Velasco was on the clock.

Velasco told agents he bought the drugs for $2,500 from someone earlier that day near a restaurant north of El Paso.

He also admitted he had the drugs in his car when he made his rounds to check on probationers before he was caught.

"He told HSI agents that he planned to take the marijuana to Alamogordo for further sale and distribution there," said Zamarripa.

Velasco was arrested. Just last week he spoke with students at Alamogordo High School.

"Our JPOs throughout New Mexico do have programs to reach out to kids to try do to some preventative work, trying to make sure that our kids stay away from having to be in that situation where they're on probation," explained Enrique Knell, spokesman for the Children, Youth and Families Department.

Juvenile probation officers fall under the supervision of the CYFD. CYFD officials would not comment on the specific case, except to say they were immediately made aware of Velasco's arrest.

"These folks do an amazing and a very difficult job," Knell said. "They do it well, and when something like this happens, it should never tarnish the reputation of those employees who show up to work every day dedicated to kids in New Mexico."

Velasco is behind bars at the Doña Ana County Detention Center in Las Cruces on drug charges.

Velasco has worked for the state as a juvenile probation officer since early 2007. State employees are considered absent without leave if they're in jail, so Velasco is not getting paid right now.

When he gets out, he'll be suspended with pay until CYFD completes its own investigation.