MASTER TIMELINE
The incident, records trail, Sheriff review, state oversight response, and HB 87 developments in chronological order.
OPEN THE EVIDENCE →
A female passenger reports repeated unwanted touching involving her butt and private area. MCSO responds. Deputy Miguel Bittony conducts the principal on-camera questioning and writes the investigative report.
The MCSO report identifies “REVIEWED BY Benally, Savannah.” CAD materials identify Benally as Unit 32 and document her presence during the response.
A written public-records and preservation request seeks the investigative file and related records. MCSO acknowledges the request.
MCSO produces the investigative report and states the case has been sent to the District Attorney. After the complainant reports that DA staff could not locate the matter using the available identifiers, MCSO later says the DA is taking the case in as intake, that it is under review, and that no attorney or prosecutor has been assigned.
A supplemental request identifies Unit 32 / Sgt. Savannah Benally and seeks her recordings, metadata, audit information, and preservation.
Chief Deputy Eric Jim states that he contacted the District Attorney for an update, was told the case remained under review, requested future updates, and said MCSO would search its records for additional requested information.
In remarks published by New Mexico DPS, Sheriff Maiorano discusses officers developing abilities involving evidence preparation, discovery, presenting cases, testimony, and potentially questioning witnesses.
Maiorano states that he reviewed Bittony’s report and video and concludes that the investigation conducted by Bittony and approved by Sgt. Benally is sufficient.
MCSO’s later production includes Benally recordings and WatchGuard material. MCSO also produces a District Attorney Case Review form and report log after the underlying referral/transmission record is requested.
The Governor’s Office forwards the request for independent state-level review to DPS. DPS responds that it does not serve as an appellate review authority for this type of challenge to a local law-enforcement investigation and has no additional investigative venue to offer.
Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil says she plans to introduce HB 87 again and invites the complainant to testify when the bill is heard. Sen. Peter Wirth separately explains the 2025 Senate timing and recommends focusing on reintroduction in the 2027 session.