New Mexico sheriff found guilty of pistol-whipping, civil rights violations

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Los Angeles Times

New Mexico sheriff found guilty of pistol-whipping, civil rights violations

By JOSEPH SERNA
Los Angeles Times
September 26, 2014

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)."

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/09/26/241260_new-mexico-sheriff-found-guilty.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

[TygrBright]

1. Good. He's a shitstain. n/t

[gvstn]

2. Why did it take a Federal grand jury to convict him?

What did Rio Arriba County, New Mexico do?

[GGJohn]

3. Elected him Sheriff apparently,

until this last election when he was defeated.

[noiretextatique]

8. the feds need to step in more often

to put bad cops behind bars.

[7962]

4. Good!! I believe public opinion is turning against these types

It needs to continue

[Stuart G]

5. K AND R...LET THIS ASSHOLE ROT IN HELL...THINK ABOUT ALL THOSE OTHERS HE ABUSED...NT

[gopiscrap]

6. Typical fucking cop

they are all like that!

[blkmusclmachine]

7. ,

,

[savalez]

9. This part

During his 13-year career in the State Police, Rodella was disciplined for marijuana use, improper use of a weapon, falsifying official reports, abusing sick leave, and using his position for personal gain, before retiring on a disability pension. Despite his background, Rodella was elected sheriff of Rio Arriba in 2010.