Sex tape could lead to extortion charges

KFOX14 learned that a leaked sex tape of a mayoral candidate could be at the center of a police investigation.

Sunland Park mayoral candidate Daniel Salinas and his supporters said that they stumbled upon video that tarnishes the credibility his opponent, Gerardo Hernandez.

City workers said that they suspect the video could be connected to Tuesday's raid and lockdown of City Hall.

"It's something that we can use so we're passing it to the people," Salinas said.

Salinas said that the video shows Hernandez having sex with an unknown woman.

"It's just dirty politics that's what I can call it," Hernandez said.

Hernandez has confirmed with KFOX14 that law enforcement is looking into possible extortion charges because of the tape.

Hernandez said that he was approached by a man who threatened him to drop out of the mayoral race.

"This person stated that the business community would like the current administration to remain in office and they would release compromising photos of me if I did not withdraw from the race," Hernandez said. "I told this person to leave and reported this immediately to the authorities. " 

Salinas and his campaign staffers said that they don't know where the video came from. They say they found it on a flash drive that was anonymously placed in their tent outside City Hall.

"It just fell into our hands and I don't think we should hold back on having this information," Salinas said.

Hernandez said that he does not know for sure whether the man who approached him was a supporter of Salinas.

District Attorney Amy Orlando has not confirmed whether the video is connected to the raid. Orlando said that, for now, the details of the search warrant are sealed by a court order.