LAS VEGAS, N.M. – A New Mexico undersheriff is facing charges stemming from a brawl at a Valentine’s Day dance.
San Miguel County Undersheriff Mike Padilla was charged with misdemeanor aggravated battery months after police say there was a fight involving two groups, the Las Vegas Optic reports.
Four others, including Padilla’s wife and son, are also facing misdemeanor charges. Court records show that Padilla was not arrested, but instead issued a summons, a practice that has become more common since the coronavirus outbreak.
Police said a fight erupted outside the Historic Serf Theatre Hall in Las Vegas, New Mexico, just before midnight on Feb. 14.
Through multiple witness accounts and surveillance footage from that night, Las Vegas Police determined that one group was standing outside the Serf when Padilla’s group exited the venue.
After initially crossing the road, Padilla returned to the Serf and approached one man “fast and aggressively,” according to an LVPD incident report obtained by the Optic.
According to police, the video shows Padilla approaching the man while pointing at him. As Padilla got closer to the man, the man’s wife stepped between them. As the woman’s right arm made “contact” with Padilla, Padilla’s wife pushed the woman’s arm away, and the woman struck Padilla’s wife “twice with a closed fist,” according to incident reports. Padilla’s son then pushed the woman to the ground, according to police.
The remaining members of both groups began to push and shove each other, and Padilla placed a man in “a headlock from behind,” according to a statement of probable cause filed in San Miguel Magistrate Court. Police also noted “a large laceration” to the forehead of another man.
Padilla told police he’d “had a little bit to drink,” and admitted that he shoved one man. He also told police that he and his wife left the building through a back door prior to police arriving.
Padilla is charged with misdemeanor aggravated battery with no great bodily harm. He also faces two petty misdemeanor charges.
Padilla’s wife was charged with two petty misdemeanors and his son was charged with two misdemeanor counts.
Two other people with Padilla that night were charged with misdemeanors as well.
Padilla’s attorney, Marc Grano, said in an email he is still reviewing the case.
A special prosecutor was also assigned to avoid conflicts of interest. Timothy Rose from the Tenth Judicial District is now representing the state.
