A Rio Rancho man could face multiple charges including two counts of alleged battery against a peace officer after reportedly kicking a Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office deputy close to his groin on April 25. 

During a call for a welfare check on the 200 block of 11th Avenue NW, a woman told Rio Rancho police officers that her son, 37-year-old Phil Lujan, had been under the influence of drugs and contemplated suicide, which he later denied, according to a criminal complaint. 

Deputies later contacted Lujan sitting inside a gold Chevrolet pickup. At first, Lujan said the truck was not his, but later told them he had been working on it. 

In the truck a deputy found half of a Fentanyl pill near the center console. 

Lujan was placed under arrest, but as he was being escorted to the patrol car he started yelling at his mother. As a deputy brought her back to the front porch, Lujan allegedly kicked one deputy in the stomach and another in the upper left thigh near their groin. The latter also suffered a bruised right forearm after attempting to put the suspect in the patrol car, the complaint states.  

He continued to yell at his mother and deputies in the car before being transported to the Sandoval County Detention Center without further incident. 

Lujan, who did not plea at his initial appearance on Friday, has been accused of committing two counts of battery upon a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance (felony), and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. 

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. May 10. 

If convicted, Lujan can face up to 5.5 years in prison and pay a $16,000 fine.