Man Says Deputies Violated His Rights
A man told KRDO NewsChannel13 El Paso County Deputies and paramedics abducted him from his home, and that his rights were violated.
Thomas Austin, 25, has a video that, he said, proves deputies refused to leave his home, and that they allowed paramedics to take him without his consent.
?They just walked right in to my home. You know, I clearly believe that my home is my home and should not be trespassed on, especially when there is no crime being committed,? said Austin.
The deputies arrived after a 911 call from a loved one who, Austin said, mistook a note written to relieve stress, as a suicide note.
Once deputies arrived, Austin said he did not want to engage them and refused to answer questions. In the video it can be seen that Austin only repeated he was fine and that he wanted deputies to leave, but that is not what happened.
?They involuntarily committed me to the hospital based on a test they took forcefully for alcohol intoxication,? said Austin.
The man admits he had been drinking, but said he was safe at home.
Deputies stand by their decision to have Austin sent to, and held at Memorial Hospital.
?We have to evaluate so many different things and somebody simply saying– oh, I?m ok– we cannot take their word as the only evaluation,? said Sgt. Mike Schaller, an El Paso Sheriff?s Office representative.
Austin maintains he was in the right state of mind, and that the medical care that was forced on him has become a financial burden.
?It is an extreme financial burden on me. I clearly was not dangerous in the video that I have. I was just asserting my rights,? said Austin.
However, representatives with the EPSO said that deputies are regularly trained to determine a person?s mental state, and that the entire exchange was not recorded by Austin. Deputies also said they are required by law to ensure a person will not be a danger to themselves, and that their financial status is never a concern when deciding if the person needs a medical evaluation.
Austin said he stands firm, that he was never a danger to himself, and that he will take legal action because of what has happened to him.
