SANTA FE - Motorcycle Club Sparks Investigation Into Prison Guards

OFF THE WIRE
SANTA FE, N.M. -- An internal affairs investigation is under way at the state’s corrections department, after concerns surfaced about a growing number of officers being involved in a motorcycle club.
Action 7 News has learned that the investigation has heated up during the past couple of months, and that the department felt it had no choice but to take a hard look at some of its own officers.
The investigation centers on a group of corrections officers and the Los Hermanos motorcycle club, which is based out of Las Vegas. Action 7 News has learned that Maj. Adino Castillo, who’s in charge of security level-six facility in Santa Fe, is now being transferred to a different state facility after attempting to start a Santa Fe chapter of Los Hermanos.
Sources said the attempt angered the notoriously violent Bandidos motorcycle gxxg, and that the gxxg threatened prison guards who ride with Los Hermanos.
No one from the department would go on camera on Monday, but it issued a statement that confirmed the investigation and that it involves more than one officer. The statement also said that Castillo voluntarily transferred to a facility in Grants, N.M.
Two independent sources said at least a dozen guards are involved with Los Hermanos, and that there was a concern that some of these officers were receiving preferential treatment based on the club affiliation.
There are loose guidelines in place for this type of thing, but the department said it is updating the employee code of ethics to provide a clearer picture of public safety expectations surrounding the conduct of its officers.
Castillo is expected to transfer during the next few weeks.

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