Former cop asks to delay prison time

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - An Albuquerque cop convicted of obstructing justice more than two years ago still has not started his federal prison sentence.

Brad Ahrensfield, granted two previous delays, is now asking a judge to let him stay out even longer.

Ahrensfield and his attorney say he needs more time to care for his sick girlfriend, but federal prosecutors are saying enough is enough.

“It was quite surprising,” Ahrensfield said in December 2010 reacting to his federal conviction for obstruction of justice.

Ten months later, U.S. District Judge James Parker sentenced Ahrensfield to six months in a federal prison.

Because he was facing up to 20 years for tipping off a friend about a federal drug investigation , the six months came as a relief.

“I have to praise the judge on the leniency and the fair and justness of Judge Parker,” Ahrensfield said at the time.

But Ahrensfield has yet to serve a single day of his sentence.

The judge allowed Ahrensfield to suspend his sentence while a higher court considered the case on appeal. The appeal was eventually denied, and Ahrensfield was ordered to start serving his sentence.

But now he wants even more time so he can help care for his girlfriend.

A federal judge has already granted Ahrensfield a 60-day extension. Now, he wants another 45 days.

His attorney, Jason Bowles, said Ahrensfield is the primary caregiver for his girlfriend, who's fighting cancer.

“We are in the most critical time of her treatment, and Mr. Ahrensfield knows he has been sentenced," Bowles said.  "He respects the court."

The U.S. Attorney's office believes it's time Ahrensfield went to prison.

"There is no reason to believe that in an additional 45 days, [Ahrensfield's] girlfriend will be faced with less challenging health issues," federal prosecutors argue in a motion filed Tuesday.  "It is time for him to begin to serve the penalty imposed by this court."

Bowles said the response from prosecutors is disheartening.

“Part of our federal court system has got to include the concept of human compassion,” he said.

Ahrensfield's lawyer also said even though this will be yet another request for an extension, he thinks an additional 45 days would be enough and that his client probably wouldn't need to put off the sentence any longer.

If this latest extension request is not granted, Ahrensfield's lawyer said he believes his client will start serving his sentence at the end of the month.