N.M. Chief, Deputy Chief Suspended Amid Probe

    June 13, 2011
    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Two firefighters from the Gallinas Fire Department in Las Vegas, N.M., have been suspended after allegedly attacking another firefighter. State police have launched an investigation after a firefighter claimed two of his superiors, Chief Tobias Lucero and Deputy Chief Lorenzo Montoya, handcuffed him and struck him with a crowbar within the past couple of weeks.

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --

    Two firefighters from the Gallinas Fire Department in Las Vegas, N.M., have been suspended after allegedly attacking another firefighter.

    State police have launched an investigation after a firefighter claimed two of his superiors, Chief Tobias Lucero and Deputy Chief Lorenzo Montoya, handcuffed him and struck him with a crowbar within the past couple of weeks.

    The San Miguel County Fire Marshal's Office said it is investigating the claims, and if it was an isolated incident. The two firefighters in question have been suspended, according to Fire Marshall Russell Pacheco. He told Action 7 news that one woman witnessed the attack, according to internal interviews he has done as part of an internal investigation.

    The District Attorney's Office said it's evaluating the state police report and will decide on possible charges.

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