Three Juárez police officers were arrested last week on charges of torture, aggravated sexual abuse and misuse of authority, all in connection to the alleged mistreatment of two men in their custody, Chihuahua General's Office in Juárez said. One of the police officers allegedly forced one of the men to swallow several bullets, according to state officials. While the men were arrested on Friday, the alleged incident took place March 6 in north Juárez after the officers stopped two men were riding a motorcycle around Norzagary Ave. and Arroyo del Mimbre Street, just a few yards from El Paso. According to state prosecutors, the three police officers stopped the men on a routine check and then they called the two men names and beat them. The police officers, prosecutors said, took both men to the former Juvenile Detention Center nearby. Once there, the alleged victims were gagged and blindfolded while being beaten up by the officers, state officials said. One of the police officers reportedly forced one of the victims to swallow several bullets after the man allegedly refused to kill his friend. Both detainees were severely beaten in order to get them to confess that they were in possession of several drugs, prosecutors said. The police officers went on beating their victims and covered them with alcohol. The officers eventually took the victims to jail on public disturbance charges, state officials said. Once in jail, one of the victims suffered several seizures and when he was taken to the hospital doctors discovered several bullets inside his stomach.
The officers were taken to Cereso prison and are awaiting an arraignment. Marisela Ortega Lozano maybe reached at mortega@elpasotimes.com; 542-6077.