Jobs of Socorro Police employees arrested still in question

Four of the five Socorro Police Department employees remain behind bars.

They were arrested Tuesday at Socorro Police Headquarters.

Lieutenant Jose Enrique Alvarez and Sergeant Refugio Orta were arrested and accused of official oppression.

Detective Javier Varela also faces a charge of official oppression.

He is also accused of tampering with government records with intent to defraud or harm and aggravated perjury.

Detective Israel Delgado was arrested on suspicion of official oppression and tampering with governmental records.

El Paso County Jail records show he was released Wednesday.

Raul Huerta, a civilian employee of the department, is a communications supervisor.

He is accused of delivering more than 5 and less than 50 pounds of marijuana.

Socorro officials have not decided if the men will be terminated from their positions.

Spokesman Dave Garcia said this is the first time officials deal with this sort of incident.

Right now there is no policy in place for employees who have been arrested.

“We are following legal standards,” said Garcia.

Garcia said since the investigation was launched by Texas Rangers, Socorro officials don’t have any information to begin its own investigation.

Socorro City Council will ultimately have the final decision on whether the five men will be fired.

That decision will be made during a council meeting.