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Officials: video of Luna County jail disturbance missing

Detention Center Director Matthew Elwell said video was not and would not be available for viewing

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Matthew Elwell, director at the Luna County Detention Center, shows how a screw that was confiscated as contraband from a cell could be used as a lethal weapon. The demonstration took place during Wednesday’s Critical Incident Review at the Luna County Courthouse.

Photo Bill Armendariz

Associated Press

DEMING, N.M. — Luna County authorities are investigating why surveillance video of a May 6 disturbance in the county jail is missing.

The Deming Headlight reports that Detention Center Director Matthew Elwell said Wednesday during a review of the incident that the video was not and would not be available for viewing.

Elwell declined to elaborate, but Sheriff John Mooradian said his office is investigating why the video is missing.

The incident began with a search of cells that prompted resistance from some inmates. Jail personnel used pepper spray and gas canisters after inmates became unruly, failed to respond to commands and kicked at doors.

The incident lasted just over two hours.

Meanwhile, inmates and families of inmates have reported poor conditions at the jail and retaliation against inmates.