Alexis Tellez filed the lawsuit Tuesday in District Court against the department and an officer identified only as "Officer C.," accusing them of excessive force and false arrest. The complaint stems from a March traffic stop near Fremont Street and Sixth Street, where Tellez was pulled over for allegedly making an illegal U-turn.
According to the lawsuit, Tellez turned into a parking lot to avoid congestion after officers attempted to initiate the stop. Four officers in one vehicle pulled behind him. The complaint alleges that as Officer C. ordered Tellez out of the car with his gun drawn, another officer identified as Officer Brightmon opened the driver's door and grabbed Tellez.
The lawsuit states Tellez had his hands up and placed them behind his back, but Officer C. slammed his head against the patrol vehicle multiple times and pinned his head to the window with a forearm. Tellez alleges that when he accused officers of violating his Fourth Amendment rights, he was thrown against the vehicle and his head was slammed onto the hood.
Body camera footage provided by Lagomarsino Law, which represents Tellez, appears to corroborate that the officer exited his vehicle with his gun drawn and yelling. The complaint asserts Tellez did not physically resist, attempt to escape, or pose a threat, and that he suffered significant bruising to his left upper chest and shoulder. Metro and Tellez's attorneys declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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