FORMER NEW MEXICO POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED
FOR OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights R. Alexander Acosta and United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico David C. Iglesias today announced that a former Ruidoso, New Mexico police officer was sentenced to five months imprisonment, followed by five months house-arrest, for obstructing justice during an investigation into the assault of a teenage girl at the Ruidoso police station. Today’s sentencing was conducted by U.S. District Judge LeRoy Hansen for the District of New Mexico.

On October 7, 2003, Alfred Clyde Stinnett, Jr., pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice by witness tampering, for convincing a fellow police officer to misrepresent the facts concerning an incident where Stinnett entered a sixteen-year old girl's holding cell and threw her to the ground, causing injuries to her face. The assault occurred on November 7, 2001.

“Lying to impede an investigation is reprehensible behavior, especially when committed by someone charged with upholding the law," said Assistant Attorney General Acosta. “The vast majority of the men and women who serve in law enforcement do so with great honesty and courage. Today’s sentencing sends the message that individuals who tarnish the service of their fellow officers through criminal behavior will be held accountable.”

“My office considers the violation of obstruction of justice in relation to any crime a very serious matter. Crimes of this type, whenever discovered, will be vigorously pursued and prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Iglesias.

This case was investigated by Special Agent Brian Russ of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chuck Barth and Attorney Allison Jernow of the Criminal Section of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division.

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