Anthony, New Mexico –Longtime Anthony resident, Reginalda Hernandez, by and through her attorney Yvonne K. Quintana have filed a lawsuit against several defendants to include Mayor Diana Murillo, City of Anthony, New Mexico, the Anthony Police Department, Chief of Police Vanessa Ordonez and Officers Christina Terrazas and Rudy Bueno for DAMAGES, CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, AND NEW MEXICO TORT CLAIMS ACT VIOLATIONS.
The lawsuit filed in the Dona Ana Third Judicial District court with Judge Manuel Arrieta presiding over the matter claims that on or about April 14, 2023, The Defendant law enforcement officers entered Plaintiff's property without Plaintiff's consent or invitation. 72 year old Reginalda Hernandez claims that officers bombarded her residence without a search or arrest warrant, pointing weapons at her.
Plaintiff claims that "The Defendants manhandled and physically abused the Plaintiff and restrained her physically in a manner which caused cuts, bruises, and injuries to Plaintiffs person by use of excessive and unnecessary force".
Furthermore, prior to the incident in question, Ms. Hernandez further claims that prior to the incident in question April 14, 2023, Plaintiff was excluded from public meetings of the City Council; Plaintiff was denied the use of or access to an interpreter at City Council meetings where Plaintiff wished to participate and be heard. The incident resulted in Plaintiff having a medical episode which required emergency responders to be called to treat Plaintiff for chest pain, anxiety, and emotional stress and other injuries associated with the Defendants' abuse and aggression.
The lawsuit further claims that Plaintiff tiff has suffered serious harm as a direct result of the deprivation of her state constitutional rights by Defendant Officers, and Mayor Murillo, and these deprivations of rights are the proximate cause of serious harm to Plaintiff; and requests judgment against Defendants in an amount
reasonable to compensate her for damages, for interest including pre and post-judgment interest, costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, and such other and further relief as this Court may deem appropriate, including punitive damages.
This lawsuit is one of many involving Defendant Mayor Murillo who is seeking reelection for District 2 County Commissioner for Dona Ana County. Other lawsuits include a lawsuit seeking her removal from office as Mayor for the City of Anthony, a lawsuit where the City of Anthony illegally hired their City Manager, a lawsuit where the City of Anthony withheld public records, and a lawsuit that Mayor Murillo initiated in an attempt to remove Mayor Pro Tempore Gabriel I. Holguin from public office.
