Ex-UNM president’s prostitution case heads to jury

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The case against a former UNM president accused of running an online brothel is about to go to a grand jury.

For nearly four decades, Chris Garcia walked the halls of the University of New Mexico, a leader in the Political Science Department. But now Garcia is walking a legal tightrope, accused of running an online club where prostitutes and men can find each other.

Albuquerque Vice Detectives arrested Garcia a year ago when they took down Southwest Companions, a coast to coast clearing house for online prostitution.

Police say Garcia recruited hookers for the members only website, and also rated them.

Authorities say they found a box of sex toys, porn magazines and booze in Garcia's UNM office.

The suspected leader of the operation is New Jersey college professor David Flory.

Prosecutors say a grand jury will hear the case on June 18th.

"There's a number of individuals that we believe to be less involved that we're also looking at and talking to and getting information," said District Attorney Kari Brandenburg.

Garcia's lawyer says he plans to fight this case vigorously, but declined an interview.

Brandenburg says someone who is not involved in this case is former District Court Judge Pat Murdoch.

A month after police arrested Garcia, they busted Murdoch on charges of raping a prostitute he found online. There was speculation Murdoch may have been a member of Southwest Companions, but the D.A. tells KRQE News 13 they are not related.