Former Sunland Park elected official awaits trial

Former Sunland Park Mayor pro-tem, Daniel Salinas, never started his term because he was arrested in 2012.

Salinas faces a list of charges that includes fraud and extortion in connection to the mayoral race. He is accused of attempting to sabotage the race for an opposing candidate.

Salinas allegedly hired someone to secretly videotape Gerardo Hernandez getting a lap dance. Hernandez was reportedly blackmailed to get him to drop out of the race.

Monday, Salinas appeared in a Las Cruces courtroom with his attorneys, Joe and Joshua Spencer for a status hearing.

Joe Spencer requested for extra time to prepare and asked the judge if Salinas’ trial could begin this summer.

The judge did not set a date, but said the trial would likely begin in June or July.

Meanwhile, Salinas is out on bond. He is required to wear a monitoring device and can only leave Dona Ana Count to meet with his lawyers in El Paso.