ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Faced with a new allegation in a rapidly evolving case, a arctic New Mexico sheriff pleaded not accusable Monday to federal accuse stemming from an off-duty cartage stop that authorities say larboard a disciplinarian injured.
Rio Arriba Canton Sheriff Thomas Rodella was arraigned on denial of rights and brandishing a firearm in a superseding allegation aloof a ages afterwards he was accusable in case accompanying to a March encounter.
Flanked by his wife and family, Rodella said he accepted the new allegation and larboard afterwards speaking to reporters.
Robert Gorence, Rodella's attorney, denied the allegations and said that the case adjoin Rodella is abundantly based on a altercation with U.S. Advocate Damon Martinez over U.S. Forest Service patrols in arctic New Mexico.
A audition is appointed afterwards Monday on Gorence's motion to disqualify Martinez from the case.
The U.S. Attorney's Office beneath to comment.
Rodella was in plainclothes back he pulled over motorist in March, jumped out of his claimed SUV with a gun and shoved his brand in the motorist's face. Authorities said the disciplinarian was abject from his car and befuddled to the ground, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Rodella has been complex in at atomic three added ambiguous cartage stops.
On Monday, a federal adjudicator denied a appeal from Gorence that jurors be fatigued from arctic New Mexico — an breadth area Rodella maintains support. The cloister disqualified that Rodella couldn't appearance how cartoon a board from axial New Mexico created "an arbitrary and absurd underrepresentation because of analytical exclusion."
The case adjoin Rodella has led to calls from some adopted admiral for him to resign.
Rodella has responded by allurement accompaniment badge to investigate assorted allegations of bribery by canton officials. He said he had no affairs to footfall down.
FBI agents raided Rodella's home in June aloof hours afterwards he absent the Democratic choice for Rio Arriba Canton sheriff to amateur James Lujan by 200 votes. Lujan was a agent Rodella had fired.
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Follow Russell Contreras at http://twitter.com/russcontreras .
Title : New Mexico sheriff enters appeal in acknowledged stop
Description : ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Faced with a new allegation in a rapidly evolving case, a arctic New Mexico sheriff pleaded not accusable Monday ...