A New Mexico Sheriff’s Deputy is facing criminal charges, including battery. A San Miguel County Sheriff’s deputy allegedly assisted in restraining a woman during a violent altercation that occurred following an unruly party.
According to reports, Deputy Justin Padilla is accused of being involved in an incident where a woman was restrained while another woman assaulted her during a gathering at his residence. Authorities were summoned to Deputy Padilla’s residence in Las Vegas at approximately 12:45 a.m. on September 10, 2023, according to the report.
Padilla’s clothes were covered in dirt, prompting the police to inquire about the incident. He casually mentioned witnessing a scuffle between individuals.
A female partygoer recounts an incident where she was accompanied by a male friend at Padilla’s gathering when suddenly a woman approached her and began shouting.
The victim recounted her attempt to leave, describing how the woman turned physically aggressive towards her. According to the complaint, Deputy Padilla reportedly informed officers that the altercation began due to one woman’s alleged flirtation with the other woman’s boyfriend.
Based on the report, the victim recounted to the police that she was attacked. Padilla and another individual restrained her by grabbing her legs and pinning her to the ground, while two women approached and assaulted her.
Onlookers at the gathering ultimately intervened and separated the individuals. Later that evening, law enforcement officers encountered the victim and observed several injuries, such as a cut on her left cheek, cuts on her right forearm, and missing nails on her left hand.
The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office recently shared on social media that the District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a thorough review of the criminal cases and ongoing investigations involving Deputy Padilla.
Deputy Padilla has been placed on administrative leave while an investigation is underway. He is currently facing charges of battery and false imprisonment.