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4 Men Indicted in Winkler County

By: Monica Tassoni
Updated: January 14, 2011
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KERMIT -- Back in 2009, two nurses wrote a letter of complaint about one of the doctors at Winkler County Hospital. They thought they were doing their job and protecting patients. However they were fired from their jobs and arrested for misuse of official information. They never imagined that the letter would stir up this much controversy.

2 years later, the small county of Winkler, population of 6600 is still being shaken by the problem. however, now the tables have turned. One nurse, Vickilyn Galle, never went to court while the other, Anne Mitchell, was acquitted of the charges. But it didn't end there. The nurses' lawyer then filed a lawsuit against the doctor and 3 officials.


All four men were indicted by grand jury today with two counts of retaliation. Scott Tidwell, County Attorney, Sheriff Robert Roberts, and Dr. Rolando Arafiles were indicted with two counts of misuse of official information. Tidwell and Roberts were also charged with two counts of official oppression.


Big news for a small town.



"I think its a huge deal, it puts a stain on an otherwise safe city. Its sad to know people have been wronged in some way. " said Lisa Herrera of Winkler County



Big 2 received a statement from Anne Mitchell's and Vickilynn Galle's lawyers on their behalf saying, "Justice has been done for every nurse and patient in America with the arrest of four men who put at risk nurses' duty to report patient safety and quality problems."


Big 2 also received a statement from Winkler County Memorial Hospital saying, 'We will continue to monitor the situation closely and respond appropriately to assure the community that any activities taking place in Dr. Arafiles personal life do not affect in an adverse manner to the care and services we provide.”

I also went to sheriff's Robert Robert's office, but could not get a comment.


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