The Otero County District Attorney’s office has dismissed 35 felony cases because of accusations the arresting deputy was doing drugs with the suspects.
According to court documents, numerous defendants claim they witnessed Deputy Joshua Marchand use the drugs while working as an undercover detective, in many case in his Alamogordo tattoo shop.
KRQE News 13 has highlighted Marchand before for a story about his father, Alfred Marchand, killed in the 9/11 attacks. Alfred Marchand was a former Alamogordo Police Officer.
At this point, Joshua Marchand is not facing any criminal charges, but according to the documents prosecutors dismissed the 35 cases because the incidents may be considered entrapment.
They also say other deputies have raised concerns about Marchand’s handling of evidence, loss of evidence, and alcohol use on the job.
The FBI says it also uncovered inconsistencies win Marchand’s explanations in the cases.
They say he has refused to submit to a polygraph.
KRQE News 13 reached out to the sheriff’s department for comment but did not receive a call back.
