An alleged use-of-force violation by a Hatch Police officer is being investigated by Doña Ana County Sheriff’s detectives, who filed a warrant for the officer’s arrest Thursday.
Detectives filed the warrant along with a criminal complaint, which charges Officer Mariano Fraere, 42, with battery and false imprisonment in an incident involving a 30-year-old male victim who the officer had in custody at the Hatch Police Department on June 10, 2015.
According to court documents, Fraere was assisting another Hatch officer at approximately 10 p.m. on June 10 near N.M. 26 after the officer had encountered a group of males who were reportedly drinking.
During the encounter, two of the men in the group became verbally abusive towards the Hatch officers. The 30-year-old victim reportedly demanded the officers give him their names and badge numbers, to which Fraere responded “those will be documented in the report.” Fraere then reportedly cleared the victim and told him that he was free to leave, but the victim refused, and – according to the officers – continued to verbally harass Fraere.
Court documents state the victim “refused to leave and continued to shout profane language in a loud and boisterous manner.” The victim again asked for the officers’ names and badge numbers. After a final warning to leave the scene, Fraere arrested the victim for interference with an investigation and disorderly conduct. He was handcuffed and placed in the back of Fraere’s patrol unit.
Fraere transported the victim to the Hatch Police Department, where he was escorted to a holding cell. According to an incident report written by Fraere, the victim began to strike his head against the wall of the booking area. At one point, Fraere says he tried to pull the victim away from the wall. The victim, still handcuffed, continued to verbally harass Faere, who at one point allegedly took the victim by the arm, forcing him to the ground.
The victim reportedly suffered an injury to his mouth and cheekbone and was transported to a Las Cruces hospital.
The incident was documented on a surveillance camera inside the booking area, which was reviewed by Hatch Police Chief Trey Gimler, who reportedly was monitoring radio traffic the night of June 10 when the incident occurred.
Because of jurisdictional concerns, allegations of use-of-force violations and inconsistent statements made by Fraere, Gimler referred the investigation to the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department.
Hatch Police officers are not commissioned to enforce state statutes outside of their city limits.
According to Gimler, Fraere was placed on administrative leave with pay on June 12.
Fraere is charged with two counts of false imprisonment and one count of battery. His bond is set at $10,000 secured.
An alleged use-of-force violation by a Hatch Police officer is being investigated by Doña Ana County Sheriff’s detectives, who filed a warrant for the officer’s arrest Thursday.
Detectives filed the warrant along with a criminal complaint, which charges Officer Mariano Fraere, 42, with battery and false imprisonment in an incident involving a 30-year-old male victim who the officer had in custody at the Hatch Police Department on June 10, 2015.
According to court documents, Fraere was assisting another Hatch officer at approximately 10 p.m. on June 10 near N.M. 26 after the officer had encountered a group of males who were reportedly drinking.
During the encounter, two of the men in the group became verbally abusive towards the Hatch officers. The 30-year-old victim reportedly demanded the officers give him their names and badge numbers, to which Fraere responded “those will be documented in the report.” Fraere then reportedly cleared the victim and told him that he was free to leave, but the victim refused, and – according to the officers – continued to verbally harass Fraere.
Court documents state the victim “refused to leave and continued to shout profane language in a loud and boisterous manner.” The victim again asked for the officers’ names and badge numbers. After a final warning to leave the scene, Fraere arrested the victim for interference with an investigation and disorderly conduct. He was handcuffed and placed in the back of Fraere’s patrol unit.
Fraere transported the victim to the Hatch Police Department, where he was escorted to a holding cell. According to an incident report written by Fraere, the victim began to strike his head against the wall of the booking area. At one point, Fraere says he tried to pull the victim away from the wall. The victim, still handcuffed, continued to verbally harass Faere, who at one point allegedly took the victim by the arm, forcing him to the ground.
The victim reportedly suffered an injury to his mouth and cheekbone and was transported to a Las Cruces hospital.
The incident was documented on a surveillance camera inside the booking area, which was reviewed by Hatch Police Chief Trey Gimler, who reportedly was monitoring radio traffic the night of June 10 when the incident occurred.
Because of jurisdictional concerns, allegations of use-of-force violations and inconsistent statements made by Fraere, Gimler referred the investigation to the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department.
Hatch Police officers are not commissioned to enforce state statutes outside of their city limits.
According to Gimler, Fraere was placed on administrative leave with pay on June 12.
Fraere is charged with two counts of false imprisonment and one count of battery. His bond is set at $10,000 secured.
Information from Doña Ana County