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Las Cruces settles suit claiming 'rough ride' after arrest

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The Las Cruces Police Department has settled a lawsuit by a man who claimed he was seriously injured during an arrest by a former officer.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reported Monday that records show the City of Las Cruces quietly settled with Warren McCowan for $180,000 in March but admitted no wrong doing. In turn, McCowan filed a motion to dismiss the suit with prejudice.

In the suit, McCowan said Officer Mark Morales deliberately drove at a high speed and jerked his vehicle after arresting him for DWI in 2015. McCowan says officers also caused his shoulder to tear when he was jailed.

Morales resigned in 2019.