An Alabama man is suing the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, claiming that his hand was amputated following his arrest in February 2020 due to alleged excessive force.
According to AL.com, Giovanni Loyola alleges that he was handcuffed for an extended period after his arrest, leading to blocked circulation in his wrist and ultimately resulting in the amputation of his hand.
“It was real painful. It’s horrible,” Loyola told the outlet in 2021. “I don’t wish that pain on nobody. It’s just really unexpected. I have no words for it.”
On February 16, 2020, Loyola, 25 at the time, was arrested for disorderly conduct/disturbing the peace. However, he denies fighting with his brothers, stating they were only arguing.
According to his complaint, Loyola was at his mother’s trailer watching television when deputies arrived.
Six days after the arrest, Deputy Christopher Godber filed a report that said he responded to calls reporting of gunshots and a fight between two men.
But, Loyola alleges in his complaint that the deputies forcefully entered the home, slammed him into a car, threw him on the ground, and punched him in the face.
Deputy Godber informed the magistrate that Loyola appeared intoxicated, displaying slurred speech, and engaging in arguments with family members inside his mother’s trailer.
Loyola, reportedly 5’5″ and 132 pounds, claims police ignored his pleas for help in adjusting his handcuffs and was ultimately denied medical treatment in jail.
According to the complaint, “[He] was found to have a severe problem with blood flow to his left hand and is in need of emergent surgery.”
On March 2, Loyola had the tops of three fingers amputated, but the pain persisted, leading to a return to the hospital. After ten months, multiple surgeries, and numerous hospital visits, Loyola’s hand was amputated.
He’s suing the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department for using excessive force and violating his civil rights.
A trial has been scheduled for April 15.
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