Complaint: Alleged rape by NM judge was videotaped

State District Judge Pat Murdoch was arrested Tuesday for criminal sexual penetration and intimidation of a witness. He posted bond Tuesday night and was scheduled for a first court appearance on Thursday.

The complaint against him says a detective first heard about the reported attack and the recording from an informant, who helped the investigator buy the video on DVD for $400.

Police then questioned the woman, who said Murdoch solicited her on a prostitution website.

The woman told police she met with the judge about eight times and he paid her about $200 each time. She said he forced himself on her during one visit, and she returned and secretly recorded a second forced encounter.

She said that after making the recording, she began to worry about her safety because when she posed hypothetical situations to the judge about a woman making allegations against him, he replied he would use police and his connections to take care of the situation.

Murdoch could not immediately be reached for comment. He does not have a listed home phone number and his office did not know who will represent him.

Described as a well-respected member of the judicial community, Murdoch has presided over numerous high-profile cases, including fraud allegations involving former Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron and three other defendants.