WARNING: Video contains graphic images. Discretion is advised.
ABOVE: A Fort Myers man claims a Lee County sheriff’s deputy used excessive force when he was arrested on drunk driving charges. Dennis Daley says he was attacked from behind, and as Jaclyn Bevis reports, it was all caught on camera.
TORONTO – Surveillance video of the violent arrest of a Florida man on charges including drunk driving and domestic battery has led to an internal investigation in Florida’s Lee County Sheriff’s Office and a complaint of abuse filed against two deputies on the scene.
“I was pretty much knocked unconscious after he put my face up against the wall,” said Dennis Daley, who was brought to the attention of police by a 911 call from his family.
According to a report from the sheriff’s office, Daley’s wife Karen called “in reference to her husband being involved in a physical altercation with her.”
Karen was worried because Daley had been drinking when he drove off in their van. That vehicle had machetes and knives in it, left inside after a hunting trip.
“I was primarily concerned with him injuring himself or anyone else,” she told NBC News.
The incident happened Sept. 21, and was caught on a surveillance camera showing what happened when Daley returned to park the van in his driveway.
READ MORE: Calif. officer punches woman over 10 times in arrest posted on YouTube
The video shows a Lee County deputy running after him and punching him repeatedly on the ground until he stopped moving. His teenage son watched the ordeal unfold.
“The matter is under review with preliminary evidence that Mr. Daley was impaired, resisted our Deputy, and continued to resist despite being Tased,” said Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott in an Oct. 8 statement. “Our full findings upon completing the use of force review will be made available to you at that time.”
The three charges against Daley (driving under the influence, battery, and violently resisting an officer) were dropped October 3, according to a notice from the state attorney’s office.
Sgt. Scott Lineberger told Global News the full video of the incident cannot be released since the investigation is still active. He said only one officer was involved, who is still working on regular duty.
- Man charged in surfer deaths told girlfriend he killed ‘3 gringos,’ court hears
- Ontario man on trial for killing his mother takes the stand: ‘I lost it’
- Drone used to smuggle $250,000 worth of contraband into N.B. prison, police say
- Quebec man pleads guilty in hit and run that killed 7-year-old Ukrainian girl
Daley’s lawyer, Sawyer Smith, said the family is waiting for the results of the sheriff’s internal investigation before taking further action.
“The Daley family would like to see the officers involved in this removed from the sheriff’s department and investigated,” Smith told Global News Friday.
The police report said a Taser was deployed twice but didn’t subdue Daley, and that Daley dove at a deputy’s legs–knocking him down–then grabbed at the deputy’s body and gun belt.
Fearing Daley may access a weapon, the officer “responded with approximately three punches to Daley’s face,” said the report.
Daley said his nose was broken and had to be reset.
“I have a plate they had to put in my cheek to hold it up… they had to wire my mouth shut so everything would heal properly.
“After seeing the video and everything else, I’m happy to be alive.”
READ MORE: What Canadian police are doing so Ferguson doesn’t happen here
Smith said Daley underwent his first surgery last week, and that his jaw would be wired shut for up to six weeks.
“It’s going to be a long road for him. They beat the hell out of him.”
Comments