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New Mexico Sheriff Wants U.S. Taken Off Case

A New Mexico sheriff accused of roughing up a motorist is asking a judge to disqualify the U.S. Attorney's Office for New Mexico from prosecuting him in the civil rights case.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, a motion filed Thursday on behalf of Rio Arriba County Sheriff Tommy Rodella says U.S. Attorney Damon Martinez has a personal vendetta against Rodella.

A federal indictment issued last month accuses Rodella of conspiring to violate a motorist's civil rights during the March encounter. He was pleaded not guilty.

The motion says Martinez and his assistants have conflicts of interest because Rodella's defense plans to question Martinez about threats he allegedly made against Rodella.

Martinez's office says it'll respond to the motion in court.

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