A former police officer in New Mexico was charged Thursday with second-degree murder after authorities say he killed a Latino detainee he had placed in a chokehold.

State Attorney General Hector Balderas said he filed the charges against former Las Cruces police Officer Christopher Smelser in the death of Antonio Valenzuela.

Police say Smelser applied the chokehold after a foot chase in February when Valenzuela fled during a traffic stop.