Former University President Arrested in David Flory Prostitution Case

A former university president is one of two people arrested in connection with the widening probe into a , authorities said Thursday.

Former University of New Mexico President F. Chris Garcia was arrested in connection with the Flory case Thursday, according to Albuquerque police spokeswoman Sgt. Tricia Hoffman.  Investigators also searched Garcia's on-campus home and office. 

Garcia, a 71-year-old distinguished professor emeritus, is charged with conspiracy, tampering and promoting prostitution, Hoffman said. He was ordered held on $35,000 bail. Police said Garcia was a moderator on the site and tried to delete incriminating posts.

On Wednesday, police charged Cara Garrett, 28, with posting online threats against a woman who helped authorities take down Flory.  According to an arrest warrant, Garrett sold the prostitution site, SouthwestCompanions.info, to Flory in 2005.

“You can rat on me, you can rat on Gwin, you can bust clients to keep your (expletive) out of jail, but you can't run forever and that's what I suggest you do," Garrett posted under screen name “Undercoverlover,” after Flory’s arrest, New Mexico TV station KOB4-TV reported.

There was no immediate information to suggest Garcia's arrest was directly linked to Garrett. 

Detectives were able to infiltrate the site using a source with the screen name, "Sweet Seduction." The source posted fake reports claiming an officer was a john, the warrant said. The site, which , required prostitutes to submit detailed information about their encounters with johns before the men could gain trusted status, opening up more features on the site.

Flory, a physics professor at FDU's Teaneck campus, approved johns for more access based on reports from prostitutes, police said. Charged with 40 counts of promoting prostitution, the longtime professor was released on bail Wednesday, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department.

The arrest warrant also points to other sites Flory allegedly created, including krispi-kreme.com, which "has pictures of a naked women (sic) advertising in Denver, CO." Police said there is evidence that some users on Southwest Companions came from Arizona and Colorado.

Flory did not respond to emails sent to his FDU and personal accounts early Thursday. 

Court records show Garrett is being held on witness intimidation charges.  Authorities said she was arrested in Roswell and was awaiting extradition to Albuquerque.

Police have said they believe others were involved with managing the site and the investigation is ongoing.

FDU issued a statement yesterday saying Flory's employment status was under review. The University has declined further comment.