Trial starts in deputy stripping case

SOCORRO, N.M. (KRQE) - The trial of a former Valencia County deputy accused of making a woman to strip during a traffic stop started Monday in Socorro.

Deputy Patrick Duran was fired after a woman claimed he terrorized her and made her take off her clothes to get out of a DWI.

Lawyers on both sides finished selecting a jury late Monday afternoon.

Duran was in court while potential jurors were being interviewed. He's charged with extortion and false imprisonment.

More than a year ago, Duran was accused of pulling up on a couple's parked car on the side of Highway 304 near Veguita.

The woman claimed the deputy took her behind his patrol car and told her he could arrest her for DWI. She says he then told her to pull down her pants and bend over.

She claims her boyfriend jumped out of their car and said he was calling police.

The alleged victim is expected to testify during the trial.

Before Duran was a Valencia County Sheriff's Deputy, he was a State Police Officer. However, a State Police spokesman says Duran got a DWI right after he graduated from the academy and was fired from the agency.

Court records show Duran has four other DWI arrests.

Opening statements in the trial are expected to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday.