Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony is slamming the State Legal professional’s Workplace over the latest arrests of three of his corrections deputies, calling the aggravated battery costs in opposition to them “a miscarriage of justice” and saying their full reinstatement.
Sgt. Zakiyyah Polk, Deputy Denia Walker, and Deputy Cleopatra Johnnie have been charged in reference to a 2022 jail incident involving 38-year-old Samantha Caputo, who had been booked for DUI. In keeping with arrest warrants, the deputies used extreme pressure throughout a scuffle over Caputo’s refusal to take away her bra whereas turning into jail garments. Caputo was allegedly shoved, punched, kicked, pepper-sprayed, and Tased, struggling accidents that required medical consideration.
Tony, nevertheless, stated Caputo grew to become combative and injured the deputies, together with biting one and fracturing her finger. “I cannot settle for the character of those costs in opposition to these ladies. The video is crystal clear that that they had demonstrated solely the extent of pressure essential to get this particular person again in compliance,” Tony stated at a press convention Friday. “Did our deputies strike her? You higher consider they did.”
Calling the costs politically motivated, Tony accused State Legal professional Harold Pryor’s workplace of ignoring misconduct instances BSO submitted for prosecution whereas concentrating on the “choose three” deputies. “That is most definitely a miscarriage of justice and reveals indicators and signs of public corruption in itself, favors for associates,” he stated.
Tony stated BSO’s inside investigation has cleared the deputies, who are actually reinstated and could have their authorized charges coated by the company.
“These ladies have been handcuffed, arrested, and their reputations have been destroyed,” Tony stated. “I cannot enable these ladies to sit down in disgrace and embarrassment and must pay for high-price attorneys once they’ve been righteous.”
In response, Pryor stated he was upset by the sheriff’s feedback and requested that any corruption allegations be submitted in writing. Caputo’s DUI cost was later dismissed, and the battery cost in opposition to her was dropped. Her legal professional has accused the sheriff of exaggerating information and is contemplating a lawsuit in opposition to BSO.
