The city of Keller has agreed to pay $ 200,000 to a man who was sprayed with pepper and arrested after videotaping a police officer who ripped off his son for making a wide turn to the right, according to the pare.
Marco Puente filed a lawsuit in Fort Worth federal court last month against two Keller police officers alleging excessive force and illegal detention in the Aug. 15 incident.
According to camera footage of the officers’ body, Marco Puente’s son, Dillon, was dragged by the sergeant. Blake Shimanek to make a wide turn to the right.
Dillon Puente’s father soon appeared at the scene in a separate vehicle and began videotaping what was happening across the street.
That’s when Shimanek ordered another officer, Ankit Tomer, to arrest his father and spray him with pepper spray. Tomer was also named in the lawsuit.
Both the father and son were taken to jail, but police supervisors quickly dropped the charges after reviewing the case and Shimanek was demoted to officer.
Keller City Council has scheduled a special meeting Tuesday to discuss a controversial police traffic stop and complaints of excessive force that led to a federal lawsuit.
Scott Palmer, a lawyer for the Bridges, said Sunday both sides agreed to resolve the lawsuit during a mediation session on Friday, when the city agreed to pay $ 200,000.
“The Puente family is pleased to have this unfortunate and unnecessary situation behind them,” Palmer and attorney James Roberts said in a statement. “This deal will justly compensate both Dillon and Marco.”
The statement attributed to police chief Brad Fortune his swift action in “solving the problems” of the case, but added: “It is disappointing that these officers continue to work in the Keller police department.”
Keller Mayor Armin Mizani confirmed on Sunday that the mediation took place, but said he hoped the two sides would sign the agreement.
The mayor declined to confirm the settlement amount was $ 200,000, but said the city would limit itself to paying a $ 5,000 deductible. The Texas Municipal League, which insures cities, will pay for the rest, he said.
“The city plans to share details once they’re all done,” Mizani said.
A city spokeswoman also noted that the deal has not been finalized, but said, “The city is pleased that a mediated settlement agreement has been reached.”
The lawsuit claimed that the sergeant was targeting young Puente because he was Hispanic and unfairly believed he had drugs in the car.