FBI Launches Investigation of San Bernardino Deputies Beating of Man
Ten San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave and an internal investigation has begun after a news outlet captured a video of them beating, kicking, and tasering a subject. The footage caught the attention of the FBI, and a civil rights investigation is now under way.
FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller said in a written statement that the investigation would question whether Francis Pusok’s rights were violated during a pursuit and subsequent altercation with the deputies. Findings will be passed on to the Civil Rights division of the Department of Justice.
Pusok’s mother, Anne Clemenson, has called for the deputies involved to be fired, saying “I want them done. I’ve always thought that police are to serve and protect and what they did . . . it was not called for.”
The incident began at 12:15 pm, Thursday, when police attempted to serve a search warrant on Pusok, who is identified as the primary suspect in an identity theft case. According to department spokesperson Cindy Bachman, Pusok was already in his vehicle, and fled when the sheriff’s deputies arrived. A three hour chase through Apple Valley and Hesperia in rough terrain, and involved motorcycle and helicopter units. Pusok eventually abandoned his car, and stole a horse from a group of people in Deep Creek Hot Springs.
Officers caught up with the suspect around 3 pm, when he was apparently thrown from the stolen horse, and were unsuccessful in using a taser to stop him as he was wearing loose clothing. In the video, Pusok then appears to surrender by lying on his stomach on the ground with his hands behind his back, but two deputies initiate use of force against him, anyway, and the subsequent beating counted around 1 strike to the genitals, 17 kicks, 37 punches, 13 strikes to the head, four strikes of batons, and a knee to the body.
Sheriff McMahon stated that the completed investigation would be handed over to District Attorney Mike Ramos, who will then make a determination about filing any criminal charges.
