By KRWG News
Albuquerque – The chief criminal judge in New Mexico's busiest judicial district has been arrested by Albuquerque police on rape and other charges.
Deputy Police Chief Paul Feist says state District Judge Pat Murdoch's arrest Tuesday afternoon stemmed from a prostitution investigation.
Murdoch is facing charges of criminal sexual penetration and intimidation of a witness.
Feist says Murdoch is cooperating with investigators. He's expected to be booked Tuesday night on a $50,000 bond warrant.
Murdoch has presided over numerous high-profile cases, including fraud allegations involving former Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron.
Murdoch's arrest comes just days after Gov. Susana Martinez, citing a case of alleged judicial bribery in Las Cruces, called on the state's judges and lawyers to take steps to help bolster confidence in the legal system.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.