UPDATE ! New Mexico man subject to anal probe gets $1.6 million settlement

New Mexico man subject to anal probe gets $1.6 million settlement

January 16, 2014 3:43 PM By Andy Brooks


The city of Deming and county of Hidalgo, New Mexico will settle a federal lawsuit filed by David Eckert, a man who was subject to three enemas and a 14-hour anal probe after a police officer noticed he was “clenching his butt” during a routine traffic stop. The municipalities and Eckert agreed on the $1.6 million settlement.

Eckert didn’t stop fully for a stop sign at the local Wal-Mart exit and was pulled over. A police dog inspecting the vehicle indicated that there may have been drugs in the car. When he was asked to exit the vehicle, the officer reported that he was “clenching his butt.” That was all the police needed to suspect that he was hiding narcotics in there and turn the stop into an investigation. Investigators were able to obtain a warrant. He was taken to another county for the search, violating the warrant.

No drugs were found on Eckert or in his vehicle.

“It was medically unethical and unconstitutional. He feels relieved that this part is over and believes this litigation might make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else,” his lawyer, Shannon Kennedy, told the Associated Press