New Mexico deputy appears on felony battery charge

ALBUQUERQUE — A New Mexico sheriff ’s deputy made a first court appearance on Monday on accusations he used excessive force when authorities say he kicked a suspect and fractured his face earlier this year.

Judge Jill M. Martinez allowed David Priemazon to remain free on a $500 bond, continue carrying a sidearm for a security job, and be around liquor but not consume it because he says he has a volunteer position at a charity that he says requires him to be around alcohol.

Priemazon, 48, is a 15-year veteran of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s office. He has been charged with aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm, a felony. He did not enter a plea at Monday’s hearing, and his attorney did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

In March, authorities said Priemazon was in a vehicle pursuit of a man suspected of driving a car with the wrong license plate. The chase ended in a crash in Albuquerque where a criminal complaint says Priemazon kicked the driver.

The act was not carried out for the “purposes of lawful arrest,” and resulted in the suspect, 34-year-old Christopher Lucero, being hospitalized, the complaint said.

Another deputy reported Priemazon to his bosses, who launched an internal investigation.

Sheriff Manuel Gonzales said that investigation revealed the need for a criminal probe, which was handled by New Mexico State Police. On Friday, the district attorney’s office in Bernalillo County filed the criminal charge against Priemazon.

Gonzales in a statement last week also praised the deputy who came forward with concerns about Priemazon, citing his “courage and integrity.”

In recent months, the sheriff ’s office has come under scrutiny for a spate of high-speed pursuits and lawsuits stemming from deadly use-of-force cases.

Earlier this year, sheriff ’s department documents disclosed the agency had agreed to settle a lawsuit for nearly $1.5 million with the family of 88-year-old Fidencio Duran, of Albuquerque.

He died from pneumonia as a result of injuries suffered in September 2015, when deputies fired pepper balls at him and a police dog knocked him down.

The cases, in part, spurred calls from Bernalillo County commissioners for an independent review of the sheriff ’s use-offorce and pursuit policies. The review conducted by Daigle Law Group of Connecticut last month resulted in 22 recommendations, including suggestions that the department more precisely define use-of-force language in its policies.