Advertisement

‘You’re treating me like a black person’: Florida doctor arrested at airport for erratic behaviour

Click to play video: 'Doctor says he was making a point about police brutality in viral airport arrest video'
Doctor says he was making a point about police brutality in viral airport arrest video
WATCH ABOVE: Doctor says he was making a point about police brutality in viral airport arrest video – Aug 18, 2018

ORLANDO, Fla.  — Police officers pepper-sprayed a Florida doctor who acted erratically when he arrived at Orlando International Airport for a flight.

The Orlando Sentinel reports 59-year-old Jeffrey Epstein of Lakeland “threw his hands in the air” Thursday while yelling that “police had come to arrest him.” He’s charged with battery on an officer.

Video of the arrest went viral on social media after it showing him shouting that he was, “not resisting, you are treating me like a f—ing black person!”

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE: Georgia police Taser 87-year-old woman using knife to cut dandelions

An arrest report says Epstein was removed from a ticket line and told he was prohibited from flying because of his behaviour, frothing at the mouth while yelling obscenities.

Epstein refused officers’ orders to leave the airport, and “continued to yell and say to arrest him,” police reported.

Story continues below advertisement

Police say he continued yelling and refused orders to leave the airport. After he resisted being handcuffed, he was taken down and pepper-sprayed. He said he “created a very big disturbance on purpose.”

“If you’re going to do this to a white doctor, who’s 59-years-old, for doing nothing, then why would black people trust you?” Jeffrey Epstein, of Lakeland, told NBC affiliate WESH after his release from jail.

Epstein runs a geriatric practice in Lakeland.

Sponsored content

AdChoices