Socorro City Rep. Jesse Gandara Jr. arrested on theft charge

Socorro City Rep. Jesus “Jesse” Gandara Jr. was arrested Monday afternoon after turning himself in.

Gandara Jr., along with Socorro police Sgt. Refugio Orta, were both indicted last week on a charge of theft of property greater than or equal to $1,500 but under $20,000. The offense allegedly occurred on June 8, 2011.

City of Socorro spokesperson David Garcia told ABC-7 that “City Council continues to have the utomost confidence in Representative Gandara and of course we will wait for the facts of the case to come forward before we make any type of decision. Aas far was we know, internal inquiries did not reveal any wrongdoing.”

Orta is on paid leave. Gandara resigned his seat on Socorro City Council but is still on City Council. He is running for his vacated seat in the May 11 election.