By Rozanna M. Martinez
Albuquerque Journal
Changes at the Metropolitan Detention Center are expected following an alleged beating last month that went unreported.
The alleged attack left Andrew Wright with a broken jaw and crushed bones near his eye and sinus areas. He has since undergone reconstructive surgery.
Bernalillo County sheriff’s officers arrested Paul Delbert Ruiz, 18, Monday night on the West Side, sheriff’s spokeswoman Erin Kinnard Thompson said in an e-mail. Ruiz is charged with aggravated battery with great bodily harm in connection with the alleged Oct. 12 beating of Wright at the jail.
A $100,000 cash only arrest warrant was issued for Ruiz last week after the sheriff’s department was made aware of the alleged attack by Wright’s attorney.
County spokeswoman Liz Hamm said the investigation into the Oct. 12 incident is near completion.
“The incident reporting requirements are being revised to include a tracking number, which will assure that immediate follow-up by (the sheriff’s department) and MDC is made,” Hamm said.
These types of incidents have always been tracked internally by MDC officials, said Capt. Heather Lough, a jail spokeswoman. However, MDC will now report all physical altercations to the sheriff’s department so that the department can determine whether to pursue charges.
The Oct. 12 beating came up at Tuesday’s regular County Commission meeting.
“We need to get a better understanding of what occurred and how to prevent it,” Commissioner Michael Brasher said.
County Commissioner Chair Alan Armijo told the Journal prior to the meeting that he wanted to know why the alleged Oct. 12 beating was not reported. He said he would be looking into changes at the jail as well as what was strengthened and what needs to be done and take the information back to the board.
Journal staff writer Dan McKay contributed to this report.
Copyright 2009 Albuquerque Journal