ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A city and county in southern New Mexico 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 said yesterday that Hidalgo County and the city of Deming recently settled their portion of a lawsuit for a total of $1.6 million.
The lawsuit was filed against police and sheriff's officials in Deming and Hidalgo County, which borders Mexico. 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.
Despite the body searches, no drugs were found.
Hidalgo County and Deming officials both declined to comment about the settlement.
A lawsuit against doctors and the hospital in the case is still ongoing.