Story Created:
Nov 20, 2008 at 12:42 PM EST
Story Updated:
Nov 20, 2008 at 12:43 PM EST
DENTON, Texas (AP) — An investigation is under way into allegations that a Denton city jailer told a detainee on Election Day that he would be released if he voted for John McCain, Denton police authorities said.
Police Chief Roy Minter and his supervisors will decide in the next week on possible disciplinary action against Chris Saunier, a nine-year veteran, police Capt. Lenn Carter said. Saunier was not on duty Wednesday and a telephone number could not be found for him.
Aruto Ntel, 25, who recently became an American citizen, said he was pulled over for speeding Nov. 4 en route to vote for the first time. Ntel was arrested on an outstanding warrant from McKinney for driving without insurance, Carter said.
At the Denton City Jail, a jail employee — who was later identified by closed-circuit video as Saunier — dangled a key in front of Ntel's face, Ntel said.
"He told me, 'If you vote for McCain, I'll let you out right now,'" Ntel, a senior at Texas Woman's University, said in a story for Wednesday's online edition of The Dallas Morning News. "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."
Saunier has been placed on restricted duty and reassigned within the police department, Carter said.
After posting bond, a friend took Ntel directly to the voting booth where he said he voted for President-elect Barack Obama.
