By
Ryan Boetel /
The
State Police officer arrested in Los Lunas on suspicion of choking a man trying
to repossess his vehicle retired Tuesday, saying he was going to concentrate on
his mental health.
Video
footage released by the police department showed Vernier with the man in a
chokehold as the victim’s wife recorded the incident.
Los
Lunas police arrested Charles Vernier on May 1 on aggravated battery and
interference with police charges, both misdemeanors, Lt. Vince Torres said. The
charges were filed in Los Lunas Municipal Court.
The
incident happened at about 3 p.m. at the Casa de Chavez apartments in Los
Lunas. Police arrived while Vernier was still choking the man and arrested him.
The responding officer pulled a Taser on Vernier before he let go of the man,
according to the criminal complaint.
“I
appreciate everything that the department has attempted to do on my behalf. I
also appreciate the opportunity to serve the citizens of the State of New
Mexico,” Vernier wrote in the letter. “However, given my current state, I
believe that it is in the best interests of everyone that I resign from the
department and concentrate on restoring my mental health to a functional
state.”
The
May 12 letter was addressed to State Police Chief Pete Kassetas and other
high-ranking officers, and the resignation took effect Tuesday.
Kassetas
said in a previous statement that an “internal inquiry” was launched after
Vernier’s arrest.
Vernier
was with New Mexico State Police for about two years, KOAT-TV reported.
He
is scheduled to be arraigned on the two charges on June 2, according to court
records.
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