Posted on 04/21/2015 11:51:16 AM PDT by Citizen Zed
A man beaten by sheriff's deputies during an arrest after a horseback pursuit in the high desert northeast of Los Angeles has settled a case with San Bernardino County for $650,000.
County officials said in a statement they came to that agreement with Francis Jared Pusok over his April 9 arrest "in order to avoid litigation expenses."
"The sole purpose of this agreement for both parties is to avoid the costs involved in litigation," said board of supervisors Chairman James Ramos. "This agreement is a fair outcome for everyone involved, including the taxpayers."
Pusok, 30, of Apple Valley, spoke to NBC4 about his arrest that prompted an internal investigation into San Bernardino County deputies' actions and a federal civil rights probe. Ten deputies were placed on paid administrative leave after the arrest, captured on camera by NewsChopper4.
"I thought I was being beaten to death," said Pusok, who suffered wounds to his head, ribs, back, face, neck and legs. "I was wondering, 'When is it going to stop?'" Deputies beat Pusok after he led deputies on a nearly three-hour pursuit that began when authorities were trying to serve a warrant in connection with an identity theft investigation that his attorney said Pusok had nothing to do with.
Pusok said he complied with deputies' orders to put his hands behind his back after he fell off the horse. He said deputies cuffed both his hands and ankles. He then expected to be questioned, he said, but "they just beat me" instead.
He said he was stunned several times with Tasers and deputies pressed his head into the sand as he fought for air.
"They tased me again after they hit me for awhile," he said. Afterward, he said one of the deputies who beat him walked up and whispered in his ear, "This isn't over."
Sheriff's officials declined to comment about Pusok's allegations, citing the ongoing investigation, but earlier Sheriff John McMahon said the video of the arrest appeared excessive.
"I assure you that if there's any criminal wrongdoing on the part of any of our deputy sheriffs or any policy violations, we will take action," he said.
Pusok was hospitalized and jailed on charges of felony evading, theft of a horse, and possession of stolen property. He was released from custody April 12 after posting bail.
San Bernardino Superior Court records show Pusok has convictions for resisting arrest, animal cruelty, disturbing the peace, attempted robbery and failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility.
According to the terms of the settlement, unanimously approved Tuesday by the board of supervisors in closed session and by Pusok and his attorney on Friday, the County acknowledges no wrongdoing.
The agreement settles all potential claims from Pusok that could stem from the incident.
Yep
Because he stole a horse.
So, the cops learned nothing, and the taxpayer gets it in the a$$ for another 3/4 of a million. America #1 big great country! With the best legal system that money can buy, too.
Yes in the Old West horse thieves were hanged
Taxpayers shouldn’t pay...the cop(s) should have lost a house and a couple of cars.
Yep, the years and decades go by and it never changes, if the cops can’t escape what was caught on a video, then the taxpayer pays compensation and the system, and cops, and management continue on.
The worse is the convictions that get overturned after 10 or 20, or 30 years, when it is discovered that it was a total railroading, and no one who did the railroading and hiding of evidence pays a price, for one of the worst crimes imaginable, the double crime of knowingly convicting an innocent, while leaving the bad guy to continue his ways.
Guillotines are much more efficient tools for lynchings (especially large mass executions), although properly made axes or swords can also expedite such processes.
A beatdown commonly follows.
You should pay the $650K.
La-Dee-Fricking-Da. This ain’t the old west, cowboy.
“”I assure you that if there’s any criminal wrongdoing on the part of any of our deputy sheriffs or any policy violations, we will take action,” he said.”
The Sheriff is a damned liar.
L
Human nature hasn’t changed. We should give hanging another shot, public hangins.
Shouldn’t we hang people for car theft, nowadays? Not that I’m against it, it just makes more sense, and cars are way more common than horses.
Two strikes you’re out sounds good.
Yeah, the deputies were planning on sodomizing the San Bernardino taxpayers for $650,000...
“This agreement is a fair outcome for everyone involved, including the taxpayers.” said spokeshole James Ramos...
Come on! The San Bernardino taxpayers can afford it!
Dry, with a rhino horn...
Sounds like yew got an "attitude", peasant...
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