By Associated Press - Thursday, May 1, 2014

ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) - The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico has announced it has settled a lawsuit with the city of Roswell involving two brothers arrested for preaching in public.

The ACLU announced Thursday that under the terms of the settlement, Roswell will pay $97,000 in compensatory and punitive damages.

Two years ago, the group filed suit on behalf of Joshua and Jeremy De Los Santos, two brothers who are members of Roswell’s Old Paths Baptist Church.

Joshua De Los Santos was arrested twice and Jeremy De Los Santos five times in two years for preaching in public. The ACLU says charges were dismissed but the arrests were violations of their First Amendment free speech rights.

Roswell City Manager Larry Fry did not immediately return an email message from The Associated Press.

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