Richard Gutierrez, a city employee for Socorro since 2009, was arrested Wednesday at 8 a.m. on theft charges, and the arrest has many council members calling foul.

Gutierrez, the public works director, is accused of stealing city property.

Mayor Trini Lopez said a complaint was filed regarding missing fencing from the public works yard off of Moon Road and Hueco Tanks Road. A report suggests Gutierrez took fencing material and placed it at his brother's house, according to Lopez.

Lopez told the El Paso Times the city was aware of the investigation, but the majority of the council did not want to take action against him.

"Council is protecting Gutierrez because he has good relations with certain people. and that is totally against the rules," Lopez told the El Paso Times.
 
Lopez told KFOX 14 he couldn't comment further because it is a personnel matter.

However, city leaders said the investigation was prompted by claims alleged by the mayor.

"This is an outrage. Richard Gutierrez is one of the most dependable employees we have, and his harassment and embarrassment makes him another victim of the dirty politics we're trying to end in the city of Socorro," said Willie Madrid, councilman at-large.

District 3 representative Mary Garcia also feels the arrest was uncalled for, saying that Gutierrez is being swept up into politics.

"This harassment has gotten out of hand," Garcia said. "Richard is one of the most honest, hardworking employees we have in the city of Socorro, and now, rumors and lies have him swept up in politics. We need to stop these liars who are doing the “finger-pointing."

In a press release, city officials also pointed out that Sheriff Richard Wiles lost every precinct in Socorro in his run for office.

In response, Wiles sent this statement:

"As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the County of El Paso, I am responsible for conducting thorough, accurate and impartial investigations over allegations of criminal conduct of which I have jurisdiction. These investigations occur without regard to political considerations. Investigations occur when this Office receives a credible complaint.

"Once the Richard Gutierrez investigation was completed, the case was turned over to the District Attorney's Office for their review and any subsequent action. The District Attorney's Office presented the case to an El Paso County Grand Jury, which after review determined probable cause existed to return an indictment.

"The Gutierrez investigation was conducted in accordance with appropriate protocols, as are various other investigations currently underway involving other Socorro officials. Unfortunately, because these are all active investigations, I am not able to comment further.

My pledge to the law abiding citizens of Socorro is that we will continue to hold accountable those that would violate their trust by committing unlawful acts."

Gutierrez posted a $5,000 bond Wednesday afternoon.