Couy Griffin Remains Behind Bars at Otero County Detention Center 5-21-23

Confirmed details are limited on the arrest and detention of Couy Griffin which took place via the Otero County Sheriff’s Department on Saturday May 20th, 2023.

The details that are known and are confirmed is there is a lawsuit filed in Otero County Magistrate Court that began as a landlord tenant dispute and appears to have escalated.  The filed case is case number M-36-CV-202300205. The case names Chris Lord, Couy Griffin and his mother Susan Griffin as defendants with the plaintiff Dewayne Braithwaite. 

It appears there was a case filed the week prior case number M-38-CV-202300191 filed by Susan Griffin which was the spring board for this escalation of events…

First case filed by Susan Griffin prior to escalation of events leading to Couy Griffin arrest and second case filing. AlamogordoTownNews.com

Videos have circulated this last week produced by the plaintiff alleging harassment and intimidation. Social media dialogue has shown a hand written complaint that was filed with the courts as a part of the complaint. 

The complaint document that was submitted to the court claims that between 3-6 to 3-10, 2023 the defendants Couy Griffin and Chris Lord entered into a verbal agreement that the plaintiff Dewayne Braithwaite would paint the interior of a double wide trailer, with an addition that was ready to paint and hang dry walk and do upgrades. The case alleges that Braithwaite is a tenant and was provided occupancy in lieu of the labor to upgrade and repair the property. 

The lawsuit claims grievance against Griffin in failure to execute his part of the work and then charges harassment and intimidation. Braithwaite is claiming he is owed housing, payment and punitive damages. 

The case being a civil dispute would not lead to an arrest of Griffin.

Videos circulating on social media filmed by the plaintiff claims that Griffin and Lord were trespassing and harassing Braithwaite. There is other accusations unconfirmed for their validity.

The sheriff’s department has been called to the property on a number of occasions. 

Unconfirmed reports by anonymous sources report that the District Attorney’s Offices were investigating and engaged in the issue and were conducting an investigation into criminal charges of 3 counts of trespassing and 3 counts of harassment, a level 3 felony. This has not yet been confirmed by the District Attorney’s Office.

However the fact that the Sheriff’s office did execute an arrest confirms a warrant of sorts was issued. The sheriff has been emailed for comment or confirmation of information under an IPRA request but has not yet responded as of story release. 

Mr Griffin is on Federal probation and this arrest may result in further action around the federal misdemeanor charges from Jan 6th. A condition of probation is no further run ins with law enforcement during a period of probation.

Mr Griffins mother was questioned by officers on Saturday but appears to not have been detained. Couy Griffin remains in the custody of the Otero County Detention Center and is scheduled to appear before a judge on Monday concerning release. 

The video of arrest is below

https://twitter.com/racquelrmorris/status/1659984147195232256?s=46&t=rv…

This is an evolving story as information becomes available we will release further information on AlamogordoTownNew.com and KALHRadio.org 

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