Portales attorney alleges preferential treatment

PORTALES — A Portales attorney intends to sue Roosevelt County, alleging preferential treatment of suspects by the Sheriff’s Office.

Eric Dixon filed a tort claim Friday in the county clerk’s office, alleging the sister of one of Sheriff Malin Parker’s deputies was not treated the same as his clients.

Dixon has sought Parker’s removal as sheriff, accusing him of misrepresenting an informant’s credentials to procure warrants in an April drug sting where three of his clients were arrested.

In his tort claim, Dixon alleges:

• Parker filed a criminal complaint against the deputy's sister in April for trafficking methamphetamine. She was released on her own recognizance, while others arrested for the same crime were required to post cash bonds between $5,000 and $7,500.

• The woman failed to appear for a May 26 preliminary hearing, but her bench warrant was canceled later that day with the $100 bench warrant fee waived.

• Charges were dismissed against the sister on June 15 in the “best interest of justice,” while related charges against others are ongoing.

“This crony criminal justice,” Dixon wrote, “is a violation of my clients’ civil rights.”

Parker said Friday he had not seen the tort claim and declined further comment.