Mesilla Officials Battle Each Other

MESILLA, NM –A conflict between the the mayor of Mesilla and the town’s marshal is stirring some controversy.

Mayor Michael Cadena was detained on suspicion of driving while intoxicatednear the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. Cadena was driving town vehicle at the time, reports show.

Mesilla Marshal Angelo Vega,ordered Sunland Park police to do a sobriety test, but he said he didn’t know Cadena was the one being tested. Cadena refutes that and said Vega knew very well what he was doing.

Court documents show Vega has a past legal history, with charges ofharrassment, stalking, embezzlement and bribery against him.

Cadena said he wouldn’t have appointed Vega marshal, had he known about his past.

“Part of it is my own fault, I never did the reseach,” Cadena said. “I heard rumors but you always want to take everyone’s word for what it is and believe the best in everyone.”

Vega said he will continue to do his duty in Cadena’s case.”I will not stand or fold from Mike Cadena,” Vega said.

Cadena said he has compromised his constituent’s health, welfare and safety by not looking into Vega’s background, but Mesilla trustee Nora Barraz said he was upfront with his history.

Vega’s attorney, Matt Holt, said his clientwas never convicted of any crime. “The mayor’s claim to the contrary is shameful and will create further divisions between the trustees and him,” Holt said.

“If a proper background check had been done we wouldn’t have hired him in the first place,” Cadena said.