EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 42-year-old deputy with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was arrested in El Paso after he was caught allegedly soliciting prostitution from an undercover officer with the El Paso Police Department, according to court documents obtained by KTSM 9 News.
Michael Gallardo was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on Wednesday, April 29, and was charged with solicitation of prostitution, according to jail records. He was released the same day on a $1,000 cash surety bond.
Michael Gallardo. Photo courtesy of the El Paso Police Department.
According to court documents, members of the El Paso Police Department’s Vice unit, in partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety, conducted an operation. An undercover officer posted an ad soliciting prostitution for a monetary fee on an adult escort website.
The affidavit said that the sole purpose of the website is to provide sexual conduct at price ranges depending on the service.
Gallardo allegedly contacted the undercover officer through the escort site, and asked if the officer was available for a “quick visit.” The undercover officer replied, saying it would be $100 for a “quick visit”, meaning 30 minutes of sexual intercourse. Both parties agreed on the price, according to the court document.
Gallardo allegedly requested to meet the undercover officer at a pre-determined location, which was later revealed to happen at the Wyndham Hotel, located at 2027 Airway Blvd.
According to court documents, once Gallardo arrived at the location on Wednesday, April 29, the undercover officer gave Gallardo the location of the room. Gallardo allegedly entered the room and was taken into custody.
Lincoln County Sheriff Michael Wood took to social media to announce that Gallardo was arrested in El Paso during a “prostitution sting.”
According to Wood, he hired Gallardo “a few months ago.” Wood noted that Gallardo had about 18 years of experience as a peace officer from a different agency.
“Yesterday, he (Gallardo) went to El Paso, Texas, on his day off and got caught up in a prostitution sting. He got arrested. Everybody’s innocent until proven guilty,” Wood said in a video posted on Facebook.
Wood also said that Gallardo’s arrest will have to be sent to the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board for review of Gallardo’s certification, to see if he can still serve as a peace officer in the state.
“In New Mexico, deputy sheriffs are employed by the county, but they work for the sheriff. Michael doesn’t work for me anymore,” Wood said.
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