A Denton, Texas, city jailer could be punished for telling a detainee on Election Day that he would be released if he voted for John McCain, Denton police authorities said.
Aruto Ntel, 25, who recently became an American citizen, said he was pulled over for speeding about 10 a.m. Nov. 4 as he was going to vote for the first time.
Ntel was arrested on an outstanding warrant from McKinney for driving without insurance, Denton police Capt. Lenn Carter said.
Ntel said he was taken to the Denton City Jail, where a jail employee – who was later identified by closed-circuit video as Chris Saunier – dangled a key in front of Ntel’s face.
“He told me, ‘If you vote for McCain, I’ll let you out right now,”‘ said Ntel, a senior at Texas Woman’s University. “The officer was laughing, but I didn’t think it was funny. He should have been acting like a professional. He shouldn’t have done that.”
Police Chief Roy Minter and his supervisors will decide in the next week what disciplinary action should be taken against Saunier, Carter said.
Saunier, a nine-year veteran, has been placed on restricted duty and reassigned within the police department, Carter said. He was not on duty Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.
A friend posted the $187 bond for Ntel and took him directly to the voting booth Nov. 4.
Ntel said he voted for Barack Obama.
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