Hearing scheduled on sheriff petition

PORTALES — A hearing has been scheduled for July 25 to determine whether a petition may be circulated seeking the recall of Roosevelt County Sheriff Malin Parker.

The petition would claim “Malin Parker has a policy, custom and routine of retaliating against any individual(s) ... who oppose him and his policies,” records show.

“(He) is a danger to the public and should be removed from office as soon as possible ...”

Portales attorney Eric Dixon represents criminal defendants Cody Banister and Armando Pena who claim they have been victimized by Parker’s actions.

But Parker’s attorney, Roosevelt County Attorney Randy Knudson, said claims against Parker are frivolous.

The petition demonstrates no misconduct on the part of Parker, and holding an election would cost taxpayers $50,000, Knudson said.

“It would necessitate a full-blown election process,” Knudson said. “It’s a collection of frivolous claims, none of which demonstrate any misfeasance or malfeasance on the part of the sheriff, so we look forward to defending it.”

District Court Judge Fred Van Soelen will determine if probable cause to believe Parker should be removed from office is found, Dixon said.

If Van Soelen rules in favor of Dixon’s clients, the petition would be circulated.

If it gains 1,288 signatures — 33.3 percent of 3,869 voters in the 2014 general election — it would then be submitted to the county clerk and a special election would be held to decide whether voters want Parker removed from office.