SANTA FE – A former Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office detective has been convicted in federal court of obstructing a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation by helping warn suspected drug traffickers about pending law enforcement operations.
A federal jury this week found Paul Jessen Jr. guilty on four of five counts, including obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal investigators, following a trial in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque.
Federal prosecutors said Jessen and former BCSO detective Kyle Linker used their positions in the sheriff’s Community Action Team to alert suspects in 2021 that they were under DEA investigation. Investigators said the pair warned targets about planned raids and surveillance, allowing suspects to avoid arrest, destroy evidence, or temporarily halt their drug activity.
Authorities began to suspect someone within law enforcement was compromising DEA operations after multiple investigations were repeatedly disrupted. During the trial, a confidential informant testified that Linker assured him he was “golden” and that deputies would protect him from federal investigators before the scheme was uncovered.
Prosecutors also presented text messages during the trial that they said showed Jessen and Linker discussing warning suspects about impending DEA enforcement actions while attempting to conceal their involvement from investigators.
Linker previously pleaded guilty in the case and was sentenced to eight months in federal prison followed by seven months of probation.
Jessen faces a maximum sentence of up to 65 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been announced.
By: John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications, LLC – john@bravomic.com
