A former Rio Rancho police officer has been indicted by a Grand Jury on five counts related to sexual contact with a minor.

The indictment against Joseph Frantz, 37, includes Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor, Criminal Sexual Penetration of a Minor, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and Aggravated Indecent Exposure.

Frantz resigned from the RR Police Department on May 12, said Rio Rancho city spokeswoman Annemarie Garcia.

Frantz, she said in an email, “is not currently an employee of the City of Rio Rancho (Rio Rancho Police Department). He resigned effective May 12, 2022.”

Frantz graduated as the class leader in his New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Class in October 2019.

“Mr. Frantz is devastated by the accusations,” said Lisa Torraco, his attorney. “He spent his career protecting people and a lifetime of keeping people safe. These accusations are a shock and extremely painful. We will know more once we review the police reports.”

The investigation was handled by the New Mexico State Police.

The Observer has requested additional information on the case. We will update the story as that information becomes available.