ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Federal prosecutors say a northern New Mexico sheriff indicted for beating a motorist also made another questionable traffic stop. Court papers filed last week say Rio Arriba County Sheriff Thomas Rodella tailgated a 52-year-old woman two months before he allegedly roughed up a driver during an off-duty traffic case.
Documents say Rodella tailgated Yvette Maes at night without his emergency lights on. When he turned on his lights and she pulled over, court papers say Rodella demanded to know why she didn't stop sooner because he was headed to an emergency. But after Maes questioned why Rodella didn't just pass her, documents say he threatened to take her to jail. Court papers say Rodella then left.
A lawyer for Rodella says he has not reviewed the new filing.
