Former Deputy Constable, County Named In Lawsuit Over Shooting

A former deputy constable who ended up on the wrong side of the law himself is facing another legal challenge.

Court documents obtained by ABC-7 show that a shooting victim Juan Ortegon is suing former Deputy Constable Mario Ramos, former Precinct 6 Constable Alex Gamboa and the county of El Paso.

Ramos shot Ortegon Aug. 16, 2008, in what Ramos described as a traffic stop that turned sour. According to federal documents, Ramos crashed into Ortegon’s vehicle.

A witness told ABC-7 after crash that she saw Ortegon get out of his vehicle with his hands up and back to Ramos. That’s when, Ortegon claims in the federal documents, Ramos shot him in the rear end and the back.

In February 2008, Ramos was also accused of beating two men during a traffic stop. Ramos has also been accused of using excessive force while working for the Department of Public Safety and with the Anthony and Socorro police departments.

The civil case will go to a federal jury trial in January.