Two police officers in Floria have been charged with kidnapping and violence for allegedly beating a homeless man unconscious after putting him in handcuffs for no apparent reason and transporting him to an “isolated” place.
The announcement comes as the United States faces a moment of crisis over abusive policing in the wake of Tyre Nichols’s death at the hands of police in Memphis, Tennessee. On Friday, a video showing the beating of a Black motorist, age 29, was released, shocking the United States and the rest of the world. There are five officers facing murder charges for his death.
Prosecutors in Florida said that on December 17th, two police officers from Hialeah city in Miami-Dade county arrested homeless man Jose Ortega Gutierrez, 50. Gutierrez did not engage in any criminal activity visible to nearby surveillance cameras, so no arrest was made.
After that, the officers took him six miles away to a location described as “dark” and “remote,” all the while shining their bright emergency lights in his direction. According to the allegations, Gutierrez was thrown to the ground and severely beaten. The man woke up later that day cuff-free and with a cut on his head.
The latest news about Tyra Nichols’ death and what happened after the case. Check out the link below.
- Memphis Police Release Footage of Tyre Nichols Death
- A Timeline of the Investigations Into Tyre Nichols’ Death After a Traffic Stop and Arrest by Memphis Police
An off-duty cop who was out walking his dog helped him out by dialing 911.
Orfila allegedly instructed one of the responding police officers to document the 911 call as “no report” after inquiring about Gutierrez’s well-being.
An internal inquiry was launched as a result of the occurrence.
Ali Amin Saleh, 45, allegedly paid Gutierrez $1,200 to lie on an affidavit and say the police didn’t abuse him. This happened a few days later.
Even though Gutierrez cannot read and was not given any details about the statement before signing it, he claims to have done it nevertheless because he was desperate for cash.
Saleh was accused of victim tampering. The officer who cuffed Gutierrez, Orfila, was also disciplined for improper conduct.
On Thursday, Miami-Dade state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced the charges. She blasted the officers’ actions and said, “We will not allow rogue police officers to abuse their powers and to betray the public that they serve.”
On Thursday, the cops were relieved of their duties and transported to the Miami-Dade County jail. A judge has decided not to release them on bond.