BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. — We’re learning more about the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s deputy who shot at three people in the last four months, killing one of them. Turns out, Deputy Charles Coggins has been in the hot seat before.
According to his personnel file, Coggins got in trouble in May 2015 for not submitting audio evidence for two cases. One of those cases involved the alleged sexual assaults of two 12-year-old girls. The file said that case could be dismissed if the recording wasn’t filed into evidence.
Coggins was also reprimanded in February 2014 for carelessly handling another piece of evidence. According to his letter of reprimand, a forensic employee got pricked by an uncapped syringe Coggins left inside a purse.
Finally, in January 2014, Coggins was written up for leaving his patrol unit in reverse, causing it to crash backwards into a civilian’s car. This letter said this was Coggins’ second “chargeable accident,” but there was no record of the first accident in his file.
Coggins has been a BCSO deputy for about 5 years.
Coggins has been in the spotlight recently for shooting at three people over the last 4 months.
On July 4th, he shot and killed a suspect after a traffic stop and chase. On July 25th, he shot and injured an unarmed burglary suspect. Then on October 24, he shot at a suspect who pointed a BB gun at him.
The Sheriff’s Office says the District Attorney will decide if Coggins did anything wrong.
BCSO does not investigate multiple shootings together, even if they involve the same officer.
Coggins is back on duty after the October 24th shooting.
Source: http://www.koat.com/article/deputy-involved-in-three-shootings-reprimanded-before/13763610