Video: MDC guards pummel inmate

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Surveillance cameras inside the Metro Detention Center were rolling when four jail guards allegedly roughed up an inmate.

The video clearly shows four guards -- Demetrio Gonzales, Kevin Casaus, Matthew Pendley and Manuel Marquez -- taking an inmate into a room and shutting the door for eleven minutes.

Christopher Shields, 46, was being booked into MDC on Dec. 21 for aggravated DWI, when jail guards told deputies that Shields didn't want his photo taken.

"They just stated he was unruly from the time he was booked to the time he was dealing with administration personnel," said Detective Dave Priemazon with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department.

The video shows Gonzales gets in Shields' face, then slam him against the wall. Priemazon said at one point, Shields tries to push the 6'4, 270 pound Gonzales off of him. Gonzales is seen kneeing Shields again and again. Other guards notice the commotion and spring into action. A short time later, Gonzales grabs Shields by his shirt and ushers him into the shower room, which has no cameras.

"The guards said they cleaned (Shields) out," said Priemazon. "They cleaned the area because he smelled really bad from being intoxicated."

But Priemazon said it was clear from Shields' injuries that was not the case.

"(Shields) had injuries to his left eye, swollen left eye, cuts to the inside of his lips, he had scratches to his ribs, the back of his left arm and he was very hoarse from being choked," said Priemazon.

Detectives also said a witness inmate, who is seen pacing down the hallway outside the shower room, heard the attack and was sent in to clean up the bloody mess.

"(The inmate) was afraid he would be attacked too, so he didn't say anything to anybody at the time," said Priemazon.

After eleven minutes, Shields is escorted out of the room, dressed in an orange jumpsuit.

Gonzales and Casaus were charged with kidnapping, aggravated battery and tampering with evidence charges. Pendley and Marquez were charged with conspiracy and tampering with evidence. Officer Priscilla Sieben was also arrested with conspiracy and for failing to report the incident.

All five guards are on paid administrative leave.

But according to Priemazon, the guards could be in much more trouble. The case has been forwarded to the U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate if the guards violated the inmate's civil rights.