Lawsuit filed against former Deming Police officer, City of Deming, and the New Mexico Department of Public Safety

UPDATE - New Mexico Department of Public Safety responded with the following statement:

“We are deeply concerned anytime allegations involve harm to a child or sexual abuse, and we recognize how serious and difficult these matters are for survivors and the community. While we can’t comment on the specifics of allegations that are the subject of ongoing litigation, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety takes issues of officer misconduct and accountability very seriously.

"DPS is reviewing the complaint and cannot discuss ongoing or pending litigation matters.

"Additionally, pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 29-7-4.3(A) and 29-7-4.3(E), the law enforcement certification board shall deny, suspend or revoke a peace officer's certification for just cause as provided in the Law Enforcement Training Act. The law enforcement certification board may also conduct investigations, administer oaths and subpoena persons as necessary to make determination regarding fitness of a law enforcement officer to execute a law enforcement officer's duties. NMSA 1978, Section 29-7-4.3(E)(2).

"Under Rule 10.29.1.11(E) NMAC, “[a]ny law enforcement agency employing a police officer or telecommunicator who has committed, or reasonably appears to have committed, any act in violation of these rules shall report such conduct to the director within 90 days after the agency initiates an internal affairs review or is otherwise made aware of the alleged misconduct. A law enforcement agency shall immediately inform the director if an officer or telecommunicator employed by the agency is arrested or indicted on felony charges. Resignation or termination from employment does not relieve the agency from its duty to file a misconduct report with the academy director. Agencies should undertake a timely and thorough investigation to determine whether an allegation of misconduct is sustained. An agency’s delay or failure to report alleged misconduct does not prevent the director from filing a separate report or divest the board of jurisdiction to take disciplinary action authorized under the Law Enforcement Training Act.”

DEMING, New Mexico (KVIA)- Singleton Schreiber LLP, alongside co-counsel Daniel A. Marquez, filed a civil rights lawsuit against the City of Deming, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (DPS), and former Deming Police Officer Jesus Lopez Jr.

The lawsuit alleges a systemic breakdown within both the City of Deming and DPS that allowed Lopez to remain armed, certified, and in uniform despite a well-documented history of misconduct.

“This case is about institutional failure,” said Marisa Ong of Singleton Schreiber, co-counsel for the plaintiff. “The City of Deming and the New Mexico Department of Public Safety allowed a known risk to remain armed, certified, and empowered. Their inaction enabled horrific abuse and placed an entire community in danger.”  

According to Singleton Schreiber LLP, a formal demand letter was sent to both the City of Deming and the New Mexico DPS to resolve the issue without litigation but received no response.

The lawsuit is seeking damages for the harm done to the victim and calls for meaningful reforms, Singleton Schreiber LLP says.

ABC 7 has reached out to the New Mexico DPS and the City of Deming for comment on this lawsuit.

The story was originally reported on air and online on ABC 7 when Lopez, when he plead guilty to federal sexual exploitation of a minor charges in 2025.