Las Cruces settles suit claiming ‘rough ride’ after arrest

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The Las Cruces Police Department has settled a lawsuit by a man who claimed he was seriously injured during an arrest by a former officer. The Las Cruces Sun-News reported Monday that records show the City of Las Cruces quietly settled with Warren McCowan for $180,000 in March but admitted no wrong doing. In turn, McCowan filed a motion to dismiss the suit with prejudice. In the suit, McCowan said Officer Mark Morales deliberately drove at a high speed and jerked his vehicle after arresting him for DWI in 2015. McCowan says officers also caused his a shoulder tear when pulling him up in the jail. Morales resigned in 2019.