Former Bayard Police Officer Accused of Sexual Abuse in Lawsuit

Marisa Ong, Senior Counsel at Singleton Schreiber LLP, was featured by the Silver City Daily Press in an article titled “Former Bayard Police Officer Accused of Sexual Abuse in Lawsuit,” published on February 27, 2026.

Ong is representing Jane Doe in a civil rights lawsuit against former police officer Jesus Lopez Jr., the city of Deming, and the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. The lawsuit claims that Lopez sexually abused and coerced a 16-year-old girl while on duty, and that the defendants did not step in even though there were earlier reports of misconduct.

The case focuses on claims that several law enforcement agencies knew about Lopez’s past inappropriate behavior toward minors and women but still let him work as an officer. The lawsuit brings up legal questions about how institutions are held accountable, how officer misconduct is reported, and what government agencies must do when there are credible warnings about an officer’s actions.

“This case is about institutional failure. The city of Deming and the New Mexico Department of Public Safety allowed a known risk to remain armed, certified and empowered. Their inaction enabled horrific abuse and placed an entire community in danger.”