N.M. man subjected to anal probes from cop wins $1.6M in settlement

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Hidalgo County and the city of Deming have settled a lawsuit filed by a man subjected to anal probes by cops and taken to two hospitals on suspicion he was hiding drugs, reports CBS affiliate KRQE.

The suit alleges police and sheriff’s officials in Deming and Hidalgo County, which borders Mexico, sought a search warrant for Eckert in January 2013 because they thought he appeared to be clenching his buttocks when he stepped out of his car.

However, despite the invasive searches, no drugs were found.

Attorneys for David Eckert said Monday that the city and county, located in southern New Mexico, recently settled their portion of a lawsuit for a total of $1.6 million.

Hidalgo County and Deming officials gave no comment on the settlement.

A lawsuit against doctors and the hospital in the case is still ongoing.