GRANTS, N.M. — A Grants Police Department sergeant has been arrested on charges of aggravated DWI and negligent use of a deadly weapon following an incident on Sept. 3, according to court records.
Magistrate Court filings identify the defendant as Sergeant Benjamin Allen Thorne, who faces two misdemeanor charges: aggravated driving while under the influence of liquor or drugs with a breath alcohol concentration of .16 or above, and negligent use of a deadly weapon due to intoxication. Thorne has entered pleas of not guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Judge Delilah Montano-Baca is currently assigned to preside after Judge Johnny Valdez recused. Thorne is represented by defense attorney Blair Chandler.
Court records show Thorne was arraigned on Sept. 4 in Grants Magistrate Court and released on personal recognizance. His next hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Chief of Police Maxine Monte said Thorne was “immediately placed on administrative leave” and that the matter is under internal investigation.
“As Chief of Police, it is disheartening to learn that one of our officers was involved in a DWI investigation which eventually resulted in his arrest,” Monte said. “This incident is both disappointing and deeply concerning. Officers of the Grants Police Department are entrusted with the great responsibility of serving our community and are held to the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty.”
Monte emphasized that the department remains committed to accountability and public trust.
The arrest comes less than a week after the department announced it would be conducting DWI checkpoints and saturation patrols throughout the month of September as part of a statewide effort supported by the New Mexico Department of Transportation.