A northern New Mexico sheriff facing a new federal indictment stemming from an off-duty traffic stop has pleaded not guilty.
Rio Arriba County Sheriff Thomas Rodella was arraigned Monday on deprivation of rights and brandishing a firearm connected to a case that authorities say left a motorist injured.
The indictment by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Albuquerque filed last week nullifies a previous indictment.
Rodella was indicted last month on conspiracy to violate a motorist's civil rights, falsifying arrest documents and for an unreasonable seizure during the March encounter.
Robert Gorence, Rodella's attorney, says the new indictment shows the federal case against his client is weak. Gorence says the allegations never took place.
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