Warrant out for Santa Fe police officer charged in RR

RIO RANCHO — A Santa Fe police officer is wanted in court for a domestic violence incident in Rio Rancho.

All officers in New Mexico and bordering states were instructed to arrest Xavier Smith, 29, of Rio Rancho, in a Nov. 12 warrant, according to court records. Additionally, the warrant is to be returned wherever he is arrested.

Records show Smith was due to appear in the Sandoval County 13th Judicial District court that day but did not show up, resulting in the warrant.

Smith was charged for aggravated battery and battery against a household member in the 2700 block of Moon Shadow Drive in Rio Rancho.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reported Nov. 14 that Santa Fe Police Deputy Chief Ben Valdez confirmed Smith “was placed on desk duty at the agency “with no contact with the public” on Thursday.

It added that Valdez said “an internal investigation will be conducted into the incident upon completion of the criminal investigation by the Rio Rancho Police Department and a determination by the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office of whether the charges will be pursued.”

According to a criminal complaint filed Nov. 7, the alleged victim requested a restraining order and police were called for a civil escort.

They told police the altercation, which occurred two days prior, involved Smith strangling and hitting them. They added that they feared retaliation.

The altercation allegedly happened over an affair that Smith was having. Smith was worried about a message between the victim and his affair because “it might affect his job,” the complaint states.

He admitted to striking the victim with “open hand techniques” but said he didn’t grab their neck and instead used his shoulder to push down on the victim’s chest.

Officers noted they saw the injuries to their neck even though Smith claimed there weren’t signs of injury.

Smith is scheduled for a first appearance Dec. 1. He could face three or more years if convicted.