Man charged with battery on police officer
A Las Vegas man is facing a felony charge of battery on a peace officer after an altercation earlier this month.
Henry J. Lucero, 18, was booked into San Miguel County Detention Center July 5 on a felony and two misdemeanors.
According to a statement of probable cause filed in San Miguel Magistrate Court, the incident took place on July 4 after officers stopped to talk to three men who were shouting obscenities at them as they drove by in their police vehicles.
Police had been to the home on Baca near Second earlier that night after receiving reports someone had thrown fireworks at a fire truck. According to police, on the second visit, at least one of the men—not specifically identified in the court filling—yelled, “I’ll shoot you” at police.
According to police, as officers questioned the three men, the men continued to shout obscenities. Lucero then jabbed a finger into the chest of an officer and slammed a beer onto the ground. Officers advised Lucero to calm down, warning if he didn’t he would be arrested. Lucero responded with more shouting, saying, “I’m not afraid to go to jail.”
As an officer attempted to place Lucero in handcuffs, one of the men shoved the officer. After shoving the officer a second time, the man was taken to the ground and restrained. An officer again tried to cuff Lucero, and Lucero attempted to punch the officer. Lucero was taken to the ground, at which point the officer says Lucero punched him in the leg. Police deployed tear gas to the face of Lucero and he was handcuffed.
The man who allegedly shoved the officer was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct. He and Lucero were both booked into the San Miguel County Detention Center.
In addition to the felony battery on a peace officer charge, Lucero was charged with a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, and a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct. He has since been released on bond and is due in court again Aug. 14.
