(Deming) – The city of Deming and Hidalgo County have settled a lawsuit filed by a man taken to two hospitals and subjected to anal probes over suspicion of hiding drugs.
Attorneys for David Eckert confirmed Monday that Deming will pay Eckert $950,000 and Hidalgo County will pay $650,000, for a total of $1.6 million.
The lawsuit was filed against Deming police and Hidalgo County sheriff’s officials. It alleges Deming police sought a search warrant for Eckert because they thought he appeared to be clenching his buttocks when he got out of his car in January 2013 following a routine traffic stop.
The law enforcement officers reportedly violated a warrant by taking Eckert to Gila Regional Medical Center in Silver City – outside the jurisdiction of the warrant. At Gila Regional, doctors performed multiple procedures including abdominal x-rays, anal exams, forced enemas, forced stool samples and finally, a surgical colonoscopy.
Despite the body searches, no drugs were found.
Deming and Hidalgo County officials have declined to comment about the settlement.
A lawsuit against the doctors involved, the hospital and an assistant district attorney is still ongoing.
Attorneys for David Eckert confirmed Monday that Deming will pay Eckert $950,000 and Hidalgo County will pay $650,000, for a total of $1.6 million.
The lawsuit was filed against Deming police and Hidalgo County sheriff’s officials. It alleges Deming police sought a search warrant for Eckert because they thought he appeared to be clenching his buttocks when he got out of his car in January 2013 following a routine traffic stop.
The law enforcement officers reportedly violated a warrant by taking Eckert to Gila Regional Medical Center in Silver City – outside the jurisdiction of the warrant. At Gila Regional, doctors performed multiple procedures including abdominal x-rays, anal exams, forced enemas, forced stool samples and finally, a surgical colonoscopy.
Despite the body searches, no drugs were found.
Deming and Hidalgo County officials have declined to comment about the settlement.
A lawsuit against the doctors involved, the hospital and an assistant district attorney is still ongoing.
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