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Thursday, May 01, 2008

Sheriff Investigates Allegations Against Deputy

By Laura Nesbitt /
Mountain View Telegraph
      The Torrance County Sheriff's Office has conducted an internal investigation for about the past two weeks regarding allegations that a deputy took evidence, according to Undersheriff Heath White.
       “The sheriff (Clarence Gibson) asked us to come and investigate. I don't know the specifics of the case. We have to see if a crime was even committed,” said Sgt. Andy Tingwall of the New Mexico State Police.
       The length of the investigation will depend upon the complexities and dynamics of the case, Tingwall said.
       The deputy being investigated has worked with the Torrance County Sheriff's Office for about 1½ years, White said.
       The deputy being investigated was on leave from an injury that he sustained about three months ago. That leave has been continued, and the Torrance County Sheriff's Office will not replace the deputy's position while he is on leave, White said.
       The case has been handed over to Criminal Agent Pat Ness of the New Mexico State Police.
       Ness has been with the department for about 10 years, Tingwall said.
       Ness will work with a crime scene team of agents to investigate the allegations against the deputy.
       “As soon as this issue came up, we took swift action. We investigated and went through the proper channels that included an outside agency when it got to a certain point,” White said.
       White was unable to comment on whether the evidence involved had anything to do with drugs.
   

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