Tag Archives: Rio Arriba County

SUN Reporter Claims Retaliation by Sheriff’s Office | The Line

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October 18, 2019 – Rio Grande Sun reporter Tabitha Clay has alleged that sheriff’s deputies have retaliated against her on three separate occasions after she wrote a story about a deputy who tased a special needs student at Española Valley High School. Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel look at these allegations of police harassment and retaliation for Ms. Clay’s coverage of the now-fired Rio Arriba County sheriff’s deputy.

Line Panelists:
Janice Arnold-Jones, former state representative
Michael Bird, public health consultant
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Edmund E. Perea, attorney

For Further Reading:
SUN Reporter Files Claim Against Sheriff’s Office for Retaliation  – Rio Grande Sun
ACLU: Sheriff’s office retaliates against reporter – Albuquerque Journal
‘Cease and desist’: Journalism’s strained relationship with police – Columbia Journalism Review

Proper Vetting of Law Enforcement Officers | The Line

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1314 Line Police behavior

October 4, 2019 – New questions have surfaced surrounding a former Rio Arriba County sheriff’s deputy caught on camera using a Taser on a 15-year-old high school student with special needs. Jeremy Barnes has since been fired from his position with the sheriff’s office. But as it turns out, he has a history of disciplinary concerns from four previous law enforcement jobs and two prior arrests. Host Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists talk about whether law enforcement agencies across the state are doing enough to vet their employees, and how we make sure only qualified men and women are carrying a gun and a badge.

Line Panelists:
Eric Griego, former NM state senator
Mary Hudetz, reporter, Associated Press
Serge Martinez, professor, UNM School of Law
Rachel Sams, editor, Albuquerque Business First

For Further Reading:
Deputy Fired, Charged for Tasing Student – Rio Grande Sun

Deputy Charged With Using a Taser on High School Student Had Been Fired Twice Before – KOAT-TV