Dona Ana jail administrator fires back at Dona Ana County sheriff

Jail administrator Chris Barela tells ABC-7 the Sheriff’s Office is slandering his name in subpoenas issued to the county’s legal department two weeks ago. Barela says he thinks the investigation by the Sheriff’s Office is an attempt to take control of the jail. He showed our New Mexico Mobile Newsroom a memo from one of his officers that followed a conversation between the sheriff and that employee. The memo states that Vigil allegedly said he’s planning to take over the jail in two years.

Vigil told ABC-7 he’s not sure what Barela’s talking about.He says he’s been approached by several commissioners in the past about possibly taking over the jail and if they wanted him to, he would.

“He has an agenda he has a plan. Fine you want to take over the jail Kiki? Ok, but do it like a man with integrity,” Barela said. “Go to the commission let them know you want the jail let them know you think you can run it better then I. Don’t go and resurrect things that have already been investigated and have been put away just to dirty my name so you can create public hatred towards me.”

“This is an on going investigation that’s been referred to a white collar crime unit and the district attorney is on board with this If Chris Barela thinks that I’m trying to slander his name you know he’s incorrect,” Vigil said.

Vigil says any wrong doing will be exposed once the investigation is completed. He also told me ABC-7 he has no harsh words toward Barela.