By Jeff Proctor
The Albuquerque Journal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Three-time convicted killer Gerald Archuleta, who allegedly ordered a “hit” on career lawman Darren White from a prison cell in 2009, is a free man once again. Archuleta, 44, began a one-year parole term, which he will serve in a different state, state Corrections Department spokeswoman Rosie Saiz said.
Archuleta in 2007 was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of possession of a firearm by a felon and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm.
Those charges stemmed from a triple-shooting at an Albuquerque methadone clinic in March 2007 that left a security guard wounded. Archuleta had originally been charged with attempted murder.
While Archuleta was in prison in early 2008, he allegedly offered $20,000 to anyone who would kill White, who was Bernalillo County sheriff at the time and is now Albuquerque’s public safety director.
An investigation into those allegations never resulted in any charges.
White had used Archuleta as a poster boy in his decade-long push to get a tougher three-strikes law passed in New Mexico.
Archuleta has been convicted in three separate killings since 1996, but the three-strikes law didn’t apply to him because he pleaded guilty to charges such as involuntary manslaughter and conspiracy to commit seconddegree murder.
Archuleta, who officials say is the leader of a powerful prison gang, had served 15 years behind bars before his most recent stretch.
White said Tuesday he was “disappointed but not surprised” by Archuleta’s release.
“It makes you a little bit more aware of your surroundings,” White said, adding that he couldn’t discuss any precautions he might take. “Let’s just say I was a little more comfortable with him behind bars.”
Copyright 2011 Albuquerque Journal