El Paso County sheriff’s deputy charged with assault after incident at CJC

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy who is assigned to the Criminal Justice Center has been arrested on charges of third degree assault and official oppression. Both charges are misdemeanors.

The charges stem from a September 29, 2015 incident in the intake and release area of the CJC.

Deputy Francisco Vasquez, who has been with the sheriff’s office since 2012, is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

“The arrest of a deputy has a significant impact on our Office, its members, and our community. It will be handled in the same manner and with the same integrity as every other investigation,” Sheriff Bill Elder said.

The sheriff’s office described the situation as a use of force incident, but said it could not go into details because it is an ongoing personnel matter.