ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Two motorists say a northern New Mexico sheriff accused roughing up another driver also was aggressive with them during traffic stops. Yvette Maes told jurors Wednesday that Rio Arriba County Sheriff Thomas Rodella used expletives and threatened to take her to jail after she flashed her high-beam headlights at his unmarked car. The 52-year-old said she flashed her lights in retaliation for him tailgating on a rural road.
Another motorist, 40-year-old Jacob Ledesma, says Rodella threw his badge at him during a traffic stop. Ledesma says Rodella pulled him over in an unmarked car after the motorist passed him.
Defense attorneys are expected to call witnesses Thursday in the trial of Rodella who is facing federal charges of deprivation of rights and brandishing a firearm stemming from a March traffic stop. He has pleaded not guilty.
