The 28-year-old New Mexico police officer who “beat up” a mentally challenged man who was having trouble using the self-service checkout at Target is fired and charged with assault and false imprisonment

A New Mexico police officer has been fired and criminally charged after he “beat up” a mentally challenged man who was having trouble using a self-service checkout counter at Target.

Officer Kenneth Skeens, 28, dragged the man from the store on Coors and Paseo in Albuquerque and arrested him when he tried to buy a bike in August 2022.

The shopper, who was disabled and having trouble completing his purchase, was standing at the checkout with his dollars ready when police approached him. The charges against him were later dropped as he was declared incompetent.

Skeens, who has worked with the police since June 2018, was fired in February when his superiors ruled the arrest was unlawful and he was abusing his power.

He was also among the trio of cops who shot and killed a drunk man in his car – in another case of alleged police brutality in Albuquerque.

Officer Kenneth Skeens, 28, who had worked with the police force since June 2018, was fired in February when his superiors ruled the arrest was unlawful and he was abusing his power. He is now accused of deprivation of liberty, false report to the police, perjury and assault

The shopper, who was disabled and having trouble completing his purchase, was standing at the checkout with his dollars ready when police officers approached him at the store on Coors and Paseo in Albuquerque

He is now accused of deprivation of liberty, false report to the police, perjury and assault.

In bodycam footage, Skeens can be seen dragging him out of the store by his arms after the man tries to explain that the purchase took a while.

“Take out your money, you’re coming with me now, ok?” he is heard saying.

He tells the buyer, ‘Took too long. Go ahead and collect your money.’

The man apologizes to the officer, but to no avail. As he is being dragged out, he falls to his knees before being laid on the ground in front of the target.

The buyer refused to give his name, after which Skeens said: “Just put handcuffs on him guys, he refuses to show ID.”

When he is handcuffed, he screams, still not sure if the officers are real cops. The person then attempts to call 911 while surrounded by several officers.

The man apologizes to the officer, but to no avail. As he is being dragged out, he falls to his knees before being laid on the ground in front of the target

Skeens said, “We’re all in uniform.” It’s your own fault. So now you’re going to be accused of hiding your identity and defying the officers, ok?’

In bodycam footage, Skeens can be seen dragging him out of the store by his arms after the man tries to explain that the purchase took a while

The police then forcibly took the man’s phone while squeezing him while he was handcuffed.

Skeens said, “We’re all in uniform.” It’s your own fault. So now you’re going to be accused of hiding your identity and defying the officers, ok?’

The man said, “That’s not right.” “I was just paying for my stuff…I didn’t know you were a cop…I didn’t see your badges.”

Skeens was charged earlier this month.

Attorney General Raúl Torrez said, “Today my office filed charges against former APD officer Kenneth Skeens for his role in the unlawful arrest of a customer with disabilities who had difficulty completing his purchase at Target in Albuquerque in August 2022.”

“Instead of acting as a professional official and protector of vulnerable members of this community, Mr. Skeens engaged in abusive and unlawful conduct that undermined public safety and violated his oath as a peace officer in the state of New Mexico.”

The AG accused the officer of abuse of power and excessive use of force.

Attorney General Raúl Torrez said of the buyer, “Clearly he had committed no crime.”

He added: “I just find it outrageous that a police officer who should be able to help someone who’s obviously struggling and obviously going through some challenges, you know, as a customer in this business, finds himself in a situation where he’s really abusing his power.”

“And with, you know, really excessive force.”

The Attorney General’s office also alleges that on the same day, Skeens gave false testimony in connection with the incident, under oath, and committed bodily harm by unlawfully treating the man.

Torrez said of the buyer, “Clearly he had committed no crime.”

“And since there was no criminal activity, there was simply no justification for the officer to address him in the way and escalate the situation in the way he did.”

This isn’t the first time Kenneth Skeens has been the victim of alleged police brutality while serving as a police officer in Albuquerque. He was one of three officers who shot dead a black man standing in his car at a gas station last August. Keshawn Thomas was killed after police said they saw him with a gun

“I think the Albuquerque Police Department deserves kudos for alerting us.”

“You actually brought this to our attention when I was still in the district attorney’s office.

“They identified this incident as something below their professional and ethical standards and ultimately, in my opinion, resulted in Mr. Skeen being fired from the Albuquerque Police Department.”

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said, “We took immediate action upon learning of the allegations of unacceptable conduct by this individual who had violated their oath as a police officer.”

“Our officers work hard every day to earn the trust of the people they serve.”

“We appreciate the work of the attorney general’s office in holding this individual to account and ensuring that no one is above the law.”

This isn’t the first time Kenneth Skeens has been the victim of alleged police brutality while serving as a police officer in Albuquerque.

He was one of three officers who shot dead a black man standing in his car at a gas station last August. Keshawn Thomas was killed after police said they saw him with a gun.

Thomas’ family is suing the Albuquerque Police Department over Skeens’ and the other officers’ role in the man’s death.

APD said in a press release, “All three officers said they saw Thomas pull out the gun and began pointing it at them, prompting them to shoot him and stop his actions.”

Officers Marcos Flores, Dustin Ketchum and Kenneth Skeens quickly fired a total of 16 shots at Thomas, who was still lying in the Camaro’s driver’s seat with the door open.

“A loaded handgun believed to belong to Thomas was found in the driver’s compartment of the vehicle,” the press release said.

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said at the time, “We can better control our frustrations and the way we communicate with individuals.”

He said that “the mix of firearms and alcohol has led to tragic consequences for the community in recent years.”