New Mexico State Police suspend sexual assault inquiry into Española mayor with no charges

A New Mexico State Police investigation into claims that Española Mayor John Ramon Vigil sexually assaulted a city department director at a Santa Fe bar last fall has closed without criminal findings, the agency said this week.

“The case is now considered inactive, and charges have not been filed at this time,” State Police Public Information Officer Amanda Richards told the Journal in an email. “If new information arises, the investigation could be reopened, and charges could be reconsidered.”

Vigil has denied the allegations. He told the Journal this week they stemmed from a “politically motivated effort, led by the Mayor Pro Tem (Peggy Sue Martinez) and a cohort of City Council members, to seize control of our municipal government in hopes of pressuring me to resign from my position.”

Vigil sent the Journal copies of ethics complaints he filed last month with City Attorney Frank Coppler against Martinez and Councilors Denise Benavidez and Samuel LeDoux.

State Police opened the investigation after the department director told police Vigil had grabbed her legs and genital area last October at Del Charro, a popular late-night bar in Santa Fe. Vigil’s accuser also relayed the allegations to the Española human resources department and the New Mexico Department of Justice.

She said the assault occurred while she and the mayor were sitting at a table with Española City Manager Eric Lujan, who told investigators he witnessed Vigil “repeatedly grabbing” the city employee, according to reports released last month by State Police. Lujan also told police that Vigil later emailed him asking him to fire the city employee.

Lujan left his position as city manager in May and took on a new temporary role as special projects coordinator after reaching a settlement with the city.

Vigil’s accuser claimed the incident was part of a pattern of harassment by the mayor. Last month, she filed a petition for a temporary protection order against Vigil, whom 1st Judicial District Judge Denise Thomas ordered to stay at least 25 yards away from the city worker at all times.

A hearing for a permanent order is scheduled for this Thursday in Rio Arriba Magistrate Court in Española, according to court records.

This is the third time the mayor has been accused of sexual- or gender-based misconduct by a city employee since 2023.

Employee Danielle Bustos also filed a protection order against Vigil for sexual harassment and workplace harassment that year. In 2024, Vigil’s former administrative assistant, Laura Rendon, filed a lawsuit against him in state district court, claiming gender discrimination.

Rendon’s case is currently pending trial.