New Mexico sheriff's deputy charged after video shows him repeatedly slapping restrained teen

A longtime New Mexico law enforcement officer has been fired and charged with battery after dash-cam video showed him slapping and backhanding a teen who was restrained in the back of a sheriff's cruiser.

According to KOAT, 70-year-old Sandoval County deputy Fred Switzer -- who retired from the Albuquerque Police Department as a lieutenant before becoming a sheriff's deputy --  is facing up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine for the incident.

In the video, an officer can be seen strapping the unidentified teen into the back seat of the cruiser. Despite the teen's face being blurred out, it appears he said something to Switzer -- possibly spitting at him.

The deputy then climbed in and slapped the defenseless teen four times -- including once back-handed.

A fellow officer informed his superiors about the incident -- which occurred six months ago -- with the video released on Thursday when the charges were filed.

Watch the video below from KOAT: