Roosevelt reaches settlement in civil suit

PORTALES — Roosevelt County has reached a $95,000 settlement in a civil suit filed in March alleging injuries caused by excessive force from the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office.

Roosevelt County Manager Amber Hamilton provided a release to The News on the settlement reached last month with Edward Alonzo paid through a county insurance policy.

According to the civil suit, which was dismissed on Thursday:

• In May 2018, Roosevelt Deputy Christian Townsend was called to a convenience store near West Second Street and found Alonzo, who was speaking to RCSO officers on the scene. Townsend approached the unarmed Alonzo from behind and slammed him to the ground.

• Alonzo’s jaw was broken on a concrete curb, and following surgery wire and screws were permanently placed in his jaw.

• The lawsuit sought an unspecified amount for compensatory damages, medical expenses, pain and suffering and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.

Alonzo’s attorney, Eric Dixon of Portales, said when contacted by The News that a lapel cam video from the incident that would have been submitted as evidence spoke volumes of the brutality in the incident.

Hamilton said the county was prepared to fight the lawsuit, but circumstances surrounding the case led the county and its insurer to determine a settlement would be the most efficient resolution.

Regarding the case, Dixon said, “I think it’s a fair and just settlement for somebody whose civil rights were wronged. He had a broken jaw and over $30,000 in medical expenses.”