Sunland Park Police officers arrest City Councilor Daniel De Los Santos
Another Sunland Park official is in trouble with the law, marking the second arrest in just the past couple weeks.
Saturday, Sunland Park Police officers arrested Daniel De Los Santos, 22, and charged him with selling or giving liquor to minors. The charge is a felony.
De Los Santos was sworn in as a member of the Sunland Park City Council in March 2014.
The arrest stems from a party over the weekend on the 100 block of Mesa Verde, where police cited 18 minors for underage drinking.
According to police, De Los Santos admitted to bringing a 12-pack to the party. When asked if he knew there were minors drinking, De Los Santos allegedly said he was aware and didn’t stop anyone because “it wasn’t his life.”
If convicted, De Los Santos could be forced to resign, according to Sunland Park Mayor Javier Perea.
“We’re all public officials and you know we’re under a lot of scrutiny, under the public eye,” said Perea. “We have to be extra careful about the decisions we make because it can have a huge impact.”
Just 10 days ago, Sunland Park City Councilor, Sergio Carrillo, was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana.
Back in May, U.S. Marshals helped an El Paso couple reclaim their Sunland Park home after City Councilor Francisco Jayme had allegedly occupied the home without paying rent.
In 2012, Mayor-Elect Daniel Salinas was prevented from taking office because of his role in a blackmailing scheme targeting one of his political opponents.
