Ex-New Mexico lawman gets 10 years in bizarre road rage case

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Ex-New Mexico lawman gets 10 years in bizarre road rage case
Associated Press 12:54 p.m. MST January 21, 2015

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced a former New Mexico sheriff to 10 years in prison for abusing a driver in a bizarre, off-duty traffic stop that prosecutors described as a fit of road rage.

Ex-Rio Arriba County Sheriff Thomas Rodella told the judge during the sentencing hearing that he did good deeds during his tenure. But the court also received letters from community members who were critical of Rodella.

Defense attorneys sought to lessen his term over health concerns. But prosecutors argued the former sheriff created a dangerous situation the day he pulled over a motorist.

"I hope this is part of your journey in life," U.S. District Judge James Browning told Rodella. "I hope you use this time."

The sentence, which includes three years of supervised release and a $200,000 fine, left Rodella's family and friends in tears. They consoled each other outside the courthouse and declined to answer reporters' questions.


Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/nation/2015/01/21/ex-new-mexico-lawman-gets-10-years-in-bizarre-road-rage-case/22116145/

[Dont call me Shirley]

1. Justice...

is served! Yes!

http://www.fbi.gov/albuquerque/press-releases/2014/rio-arriba-county-sheriff-thomas-r.-rodella-and-his-son-arrested-on-federal-charges

[SunSeeker]

4. Ug, that nut bag's psycho son helped him beat up the motorist.

Thanks for the link.

[Judi Lynn]

10. I have to wonder about the rest of his career which has gone below the radar before this.

It's so doubtful this is an uncharacteristic turn in his behavior. Could be there are some who simply didn't live to talk about it!

[center][/center]
Thanks for the information.

[freshwest]

11. Thanks for the DOJ link. The AZ Central story linked minimized the event,

[Control-Z]

2. Good.

Sounds like he deserves everything he got.

[SunSeeker]

3. I hope with that felony on the books, he and his creepy son will be barred from being LEO's.

Daddy and Jr., who both jumped the motorist, are dangerous people.

[gopiscrap]

5. For once a fucking cop

got what was coming to them!

[lovemydog]

6. Description of the incident:

Rodella was convicted of brandishing a firearm and deprivation of rights following a four-day trial in September.

He faced up to 17 years in prison over the March encounter, in which he was accused of pulling a gun on Michael Tafoya and striking him in the face with his badge because Tafoya cut him off in traffic.

"I said, 'Please, don't kill me,' " Tafoya testified during the trial.

[secondwind]

7. let him ponder what he did wrong while he is in jail.. no mercy

[lovemydog]

8. Agree. He did seriously messed up violence.

[Enthusiast]

9. Shocking! Actual justice! nt

[El Shaman]

12. New Mexico:

I kept seeing an old western movie starring Alfonso Bedoya.