Former Judge Henry Castaneda of Carlsbad, NM; ethical troll

The New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission found Hank guilty of engaging in the following misconduct, all of which took place while he was a Eddy County Magistrate Court Judge.

• Engaged in willful misconduct in office
• Over a period of years violated Judicial Branch Computer and Internet use
• Utilized state owned equipment to download and/or send emails that were offensive, degrading, pornographic, racist and sexist
• Used court e-mail to conduct personal business
• Used court e-mail address to communicate about political activity
• Used court e-mail to communicate about religious activities
• When Hank found out  his offensive e-mails had been discovered, he beg an to attempt to remove them from his court assigned computer
• Hank showed little or no remorse other than he was embarrassed that his abhorrent conduct had been discovered
• There was several incidents wherein Hank was not completely truthful
• Hank’s behavior had a profound negative impact upon the integrity and respect for the judiciary
• Hank’s actions were knowing, intentional and willful

Rather than await a ruling from the New Mexico Supreme Court that likely would have meant him being tossed off the bench, Hank did what any coward would do, he resigned his judgeship with an agreement to never seek judicial office in the future.

As we speak (ca. June 2024 ), it is rumored that Joey has an application pending for a job as a bathroom attendant at the El Ranchito Gentlemen’s Club at 2206 Limpia Road in Pecos, New Mexico.