Cop Who Allegedly Robbed Newlweds Faces Felony Charge

El Paso Police Sgt. Alberto Madrid is facing serious jail time after he was accused of running his truck into a wedding guest after stealing from the bride and groom over the weekend.

Madrid, who was off duty at the time and working security at the reception, has been charged with aggravated robbery.

Madrid bonded out of jail on Tuesday. Some ABC-7 viewers wondered why he isn’t facing more charges.

El Paso Police Det. Mike Baranyay said Madrid was charged with aggravated robbery – a first degree felony – instead of attempted murder because attempted murder is only a second degree felony.

“The higher charge would still remain the aggravated robbery which would hold the higher penalty, and possibly more jail time,” Baranyay said.

Madrid has avoided jail time on three other occasions. In 2002, he was charged with misdemeanor assault. He also was charged with DWI that same year and charged with DWI in 2006.

All three charges were dismissed. There wasn’t enough evidence on the misdemeanor assault and he was cleared of one of the DWI’s by attending a pretrial program.

According to public records, Madrid earned more than $66,000 as a sergeant. He was transferred from the El Paso airport’s police unit to West Side patrol this year.

He’s in the process of being fired.

His booking mugshot is not available because he has not been indicted. State law prohibits a law enforcement officer’s mugshot from being made available until after the officer is indicted.