A Florida sheriff has released body camera footage, claiming it justifies his officers’ actions as they used force on a drug suspect who resisted arrest even after being stunned and pinned to the ground.
The suspect’s attorney is calling for a federal investigation into the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and accusing Sheriff T.K. Waters of a cover-up.
On Friday, a witness video captured Le’Keian Woods being beaten and slammed to the ground while handcuffed.
Waters and Mike Shell, his assistant chief, stated in a press conference that officers were aware of Woods’ previous murder accusation, armed robbery probation, and involvement in firearms and drug trafficking when they chased him after a traffic stop.
Mugshots taken after Woods’ arrest showed him with severe facial injuries, including both eyes swollen shut and bruises and cuts on his face.
“There was force used by arresting officers, and yes, that force is ugly. But the reality is that all force, all violence is ugly,” Waters said. “But just because force is ugly does not mean it is unlawful or contrary to (agency) policy.” He said all the officers remain on the street “where they belong.”
Woods is charged with resisting arrest with violence, armed trafficking in cocaine and methamphetamine, and various other felonies. His lawyer, Harry Daniels, intends to request an investigation into his client’s assault by the U.S. Justice Department.
“It’s unfortunate that the sheriff believes the beating of an unarmed man is justified,” Daniels said. “It is obvious that he is complicit and an enabler of clear misconduct by his officers. It is not surprising that (the sheriff’s office) didn’t find any misconduct because they investigate themselves.”
According to Waters, Jacksonville police, including Hunter Sullivan, stopped a Dodge Ram pickup in a parking garage after Woods completed a drug sale. The officers pointed guns at two men with Woods, and they surrendered without incident, where they found cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and a handgun inside the truck.
In the video, Woods is seen quickly exiting the front passenger’s seat and running into the apartment complex, prompting Sullivan to pursue him. Sullivan repeatedly instructs Woods to lie on the ground or be tased. As Sullivan approaches, he deploys his Taser stun gun, discharging it twice, causing Woods to fall onto the pavement face-first.
Subsequently, Sullivan proceeds to tackle Woods and tells him to put his hands behind his back. Woods, who stands at 5 feet 8 inches and weighs 160 pounds, resisted by squirming and moving his hands beneath his body.
On Monday, Sullivan stated in an arrest report that he struck Woods in the head and ribs, fearing he was reaching for a weapon in his waistband. Detective Josue Garriga, who arrived on the scene, reportedly struck Woods’ in the head and shoulders with his knee while another officer punched him. After about two minutes, they successfully handcuffed Woods, according to the video.
In another video, officers claim Woods is resisting arrest, forcing them to return him to the ground and sit him up forcefully.
According to Daniels, Woods’ attorney, there was no legal reason for the truck’s stop. However, officers say they initially tried to pull over the truck because the driver wasn’t wearing a seat belt, but he refused to stop.
“They had no reason to engage Mr. Woods, none,” said Daniels. “Any man who is getting a beating is going to resist that beating, or he is going to get killed”
Court records show that Woods was on probation after pleading no contest to a 2017 robbery in Tallahassee.
Woods is currently being held at the Jacksonville jail.
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