Mesilla Mayor Given Sobriety Test
SUNLAND PARK, NM – Police administered a sobriety test to Mesilla Mayor Michael Cadena moments after he visited Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
According to the police report, a government car was observed entering the parking lot of the casino with the sirens on. A man later got out of the car and proceeded to enter the casino.
Police officials say the Mesilla Marshals were contacted to determine who was driving the car but they were not able to determine who it was.
Mesilla Valley Angelo Vega reportedly told police to administer a sobriety test on whoever was driving the car. Vega tells ABC-7 he requested the test because Sunland Park Police told him it appeared the driver of the car was swaying before he arrived at the casino.
It was later determined that Cadena was the one who drove the car to the casino. According to police, Cadena was approached and it was noticed he had blood shot eyes and was swaying. He was administered a sobriety test but was not arrested.
Cadena tells ABC-7 he has permission to drive the vehicle and only apologized for the perception he gave out. However, he did express his disappointment with Vega. “I am concerned about the comments from Vega … he said he did not know who was in there and to arrest the person for DWI. He was fully aware who was in the vehicle.”
He also adds that he only had one drink with his meal while he was at the casino. “The people that know me know that I do not get intoxicated when I go out … they know there was no intent of doing anything wrong.”
The police report does not state is Cadena failed the sobriety test.
