An inmate at Luna County Detention Center says officers handcuffed and pepper-sprayed inmates last week.
The Deming Headlight reports that 28-year-old LCDC inmate Franco Martincigh told the newspaper that the jail was locked down while detention officers searched an area and then ordered 38 inmates on their knees and handcuffed and pepper-sprayed them, despite the inmates' compliance with instructions.
Luna County Manager Charles "Tink" Jackson acknowledges that there was a "situation" at the detention center, but says he cannot give more information because it is under investigation.
An official at the detention center also declined to comment Friday.
Martincigh says he told officers he couldn't breathe after they threw tear gas containers in the room. He says he was struck on his head and later transported to Mibres Memorial Hospital.
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Information from: Headlight, http://www.demingheadlight.com
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