Gila Regional Medical Center in New Mexico illegally performed invasive, unnecessary, and forced procedures on protesting man, then billed victim

Doctors took two x-rays, performed two digital rectal exams, three enemas, and a colonoscopy after a doctor at an emergency room in a different facility in Deming, N.M. refused to cooperate with accompanying cops, calling internal body search demands "unethical." A policeman was convinced the man was hiding drugs. None were found.
     Dude should hold an auction for lawyers interested in suing on his behalf.



From Chris Ramirez, KOB Eyewitness News 4:

     There are major concerns about the way the search warrant was carried out. Kennedy [David Eckert's attorney, Shannon Kennedy] argues that the search warrant was overly broad and lacked probable cause.  But beyond that, the warrant was only valid in Luna County, where Deming is located.  The Gila Regional Medical Center is in Grant County.  That means all of the medical procedures were performed illegally and the doctors who performed the procedures did so with no legal basis and no consent from the patient.
     In addition, even if the search warrant was executed in the correct New Mexico county, the warrant expired at 10 p.m.  Medical records show the prepping for the colonoscopy started at 1 a.m. the following day, three hours after the warrant expired.
     "This is like something out of a science fiction film, anal probing by government officials and public employees," Kennedy said.

From James Staley, of the Silver City News-Sun:

Drs. Okay H. Odacha (left) and Robert Wilcox, of the
Gila Regional Medical Center, accused in federal suit
of illegally performing six invasive procedures on man
without his consent and in spite of his refusals. Wilcox
said he "reasonably believed" that the warrant, issued
for another county, and which had expired hours
before a forced colonoscopy was performed, was valid.

     ...one of the physicians named in the suit, Dr. Robert Wilcox, said in court filings he "reasonably believed" the warrant to be valid.
     At the Gila Regional Medical Center, medical personnel performed the six invasive procedures, plus two X-rays — all without Eckert's consent, the lawsuit claims. Officials again found no drugs in Eckert's body.
     ...During those procedures, the suit alleges, police officers mocked, harassed and berated Eckert. They also repeatedly misplaced the privacy curtain, exposing Eckert to a public hallway during "intimate and humiliating searches."
     Aside from Dougherty and Wilcox, Eckert is suing the city of Deming; Deming police officers Bobby Orosco, Robert Chavez, FNU (first name unknown) Hernandez; Hidalgo County; Hidalgo County sheriff's deputies David Arredondo, Robert Rodriguez, Patrick Green; and Dr. Okay H. Odocha, MD.