One of three inmates charged in connection with the beating of a Chaves County Detention Center (CCDC) officer earlier this year has pleaded not guilty to four criminal counts.

He appeared Monday via video chat at his arraignment in the 5th Judicial District Court in Roswell. Court records indicate that Christopher Romero, 52, of Roswell, entered a plea of not guilty. He faces one felony count each of aggravated battery upon a peace officer causing great bodily harm, conspiracy to commit aggravated battery on a peace officer causing great bodily harm, false imprisonment and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment.

District Judge Thomas Lilley subsequently scheduled a jury trial in the case for March 31. Attempts to reach Henry Castillo, Romero's attorney, for comment on the plea and the

See Full Page