Posted on 09/26/2014 9:48:50 PM PDT by bkopto
A sheriff in New Mexico was convicted by a federal jury Friday of weapons charges and violating a man’s civil rights after a car pursuit.
Rio Arriba County Sheriff Thomas Rodella, 56, was found guilty of violating the civil rights of a driver, identified as Michael Tafoya by the Associated Press, and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime in an assault on Tafoya.
Federal prosecutors said Rodella and his son chased the man in their car and once they cornered him on a dead-end street, the sheriff got out with his gun, got into the man’s car and pistol-whipped him.
Prosecutors say Rodella’s son pulled the victim from his car. When Tafoya asked to see the elder Rodella’s badge, the sheriff responded by slamming his badge into the victim's eye and shouting "You want to see my badge? Here's my badge, [expletive]."
The elder Rodella then had the driver jailed for two days. Tafoya was never charged, prosecutors said.
SNIP
A sentencing date has not been scheduled for Rodella. He faces up to 17 years in federal prison.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
You don’t want to piss off NM police
Ping
NM. The land of entrapment. Come on vacation, leave on probation.
That was the saying when I was at UNM.
Ping!
Must have opted out of the union.
Wow, quick trial. The related article (http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-new-mexico-sheriff-20140815-story.html) says that the good sheriff and his son were arrested in August of this year. Now that’s how justice should be served!
Rio Arriba County ...
Seriously, ‘Up The River’ County.
Especially considering that’s what’s happening to the Sheriff and his son.
Well its not like they did a cavity search.
Jerk, you abused your power. How many times have you pulled that stunt and got away with it?
I know this will upset a lot of you out there but I find it very amazing, having traveled in EVERY state in the US and NEVER, EVER have I experienced anything like I see and read in the news about police brutality. Yes, I have been stopped for driving too fast but again, never was I “pistol whipped”, beaten or jailed. Mind you, I am NOT a cream puff either and have no fear of defending myself or my family. The point is, if you “behave” like a NORMAL (whatever that is) person, police will leave you alone, act like a A-hole and things will change and not for the better.
That’s a faulty assumption.
Do you speak from experience?
Have I ever been anally raped or pistol whipped by NM police? No, I’ve managed to stay out of that state. Plenty of other cases of that occurring though. We don’t live in a vacuum. Just because something doesn’t happen to you doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
They two men chased Tafoya not to a dead end street but on a dirt road in the country.
Tafoya appears to be white and the story should end with the sheriff's exposure and conviction. If Tafoya were black the turmoil would just be beginning -- great money making opportunity for the race-grievance industry.
“The point is, if you “behave” like a NORMAL (whatever that is) person, police will leave you alone, act like a A-hole and things will change and not for the better.”
When you get stopped by a cop who wants to see a proper amount of fear on your part or wants to see impotent anger in you face NOTHING you do will stop him from pushing it. Been there.
Shocking moment officer shoots unarmed driver after pulling him over for not wearing a seatbelt
That being said, I've been stopped a few times in my life (both CCW & non-CCW), and never had a problem. Was always treated courteously.
NEW Mexico
That just means your number hasn’t come up.
As a well behaved, respectful young (20) military guy I was robbed of cash by a cop in Dallas TX. I did nothing but drive with out of state plates.
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