Piccuta Law Group Files Lawsuit Against Maricopa County Sherriff for Excessive Force and Other Civil Rights Violations
On November 11th, 2016, the Piccuta Law Group filed a new civil rights lawsuit in the United States District Court of Arizona. The lawsuit names a Maricopa County Sherriff Deputy as a Defendant and alleges civil rights violations for excessive force, false imprisonment, unlawful detention and malicious prosecution, among other claims. The case is entitled Higgins v. Deputy Robert Laterza, Et Al. and is case #: 2:16-CV-03943.
The case stems from a 2014 incident where the firm’s client was at a restaurant offering entertainment games such as bowling, billiards and laser tag. Following a few games of laser tag, the client was approached by the Deputy who grabbed him violently and threw him to the ground. The complaint alleges that the actions of the Deputy were unprovoked and unjustified. When the client was thrown down by the Deputy, his face and skull made violent contact with the floor. The impact caused his brain to hit the side of his skull and he immediately lost consciousness. The violent impact resulted in a traumatic brain injury, concussion, multiple skull fractures, a fractured nose, partially torn ligament in the client’s left ankle, a deep gash on the client’s forehead (that required twenty stitches and left a disfiguring scar), neck injury, lower back injury, bruising and swelling.
To make matters worse, the complaint alleges that the Deputy falsely reported the events to other law enforcement officers to justify his excessive use of force. The complaint also alleges that the Deputy fabricated a story where he claimed that the client had pushed and elbowed him. Multiple eyewitnesses report that this did not occur. The Deputy’s false reporting led to criminal charges being brought by the county attorney against the client. The Deputy requested that the charge of aggravated assault on a police officer be brought in addition to disorderly conduct. All criminal charges were dismissed by the county attorney after the incident was further investigated.
If you or a loved one has been abused by a law enforcement officer, contact the Piccuta Law Group today. Our firm has experience handling civil rights and police excessive force cases in both Arizona and California and will provide a free consultation.
