Once again cellphone video has proven the downfall of an abusive cop.
In March of 2014, Orlando, Florida, officer William Escobar was filmed arresting Refus Jerome Holloway during a domestic disturbance call. Escobar claimed that he smelled marijuana in the air when he arrived at the scene and picked out two Black men to persecute.
Escobar and another officer claimed that Verrell Sheals appeared to have the shape of a handgun in his pocket. However, no gun was found nor was there any marijuana found. When Holloway protested and tried to show his military police identification to the officer, he was instead assaulted. Escobar drew his gun and attempted to kick Holloway in the abdomen, but Holloway blocked and caught the officer’s kick. Holloway was eventually handcuffed and forced to the ground where he was kicked repeatedly by Escobar, cursed and punched in the head.
The arrest was investigated and it was found that Escobar was wearing a bodycam but denied there was any footage from the attack. State investigators found out that there was, in fact, footage and Escobar lied in a sworn written statement about the arrest. When the cellphone footage was then viewed all charges were dropped against Holloway. Now Escobar is the one facing serious criminal charges of two counts of battery and two counts of perjury. In addition, the entire Orlando Police Department is being investigated by the State Attorney’s Office. Escobar has been investigated eight times for similar abusive behavior, but was cleared each time.
The video of the arrest can be viewed below:
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