Teen alleges he was beaten by Brawley cops

BRAWLEY — A 19-yearyear local resident says he was recently was the victim of brutality by city police. The police department’s account of events differs.

On June 29, Brawley police were responding to a call at an apartment complex located at 275 W. E St. Luis Alonso Valdez said he heard the commotion and left his apartment to investigate. He said he never exchanged a word with officers. Yet despite that alleged lack of provocation, Valdez said police turned their attention from the person they were arresting and went after him, striking him and using a stun gun twice.

In a video taken by relatives of Valdez and shared with Adelante Valle, one can hear and see neighbors complain about what they believe is officers’ abusive treatment of the detainee. Footage also shows one of the officers instructing Valdez’s mother, Martha Renteria, to stay back.

Among Valdez’s alleged injuries from the incident was a deep bruise on his right arm. He was taken to the hospital under police custody.

Valdez said he was held more than 48 hours in booking without being able to make a phone call. He said he also was not advised of charges or his Miranda rights, and he was not allowed visits from family.

Police originally accused Valdez of possessing a firearm. However, the formal charge was obstruction of police work, as stipulated in the California Penal Code. The charge was reduced to a misdemeanor.

Superior Court Judge William Quan subsequently dismissed the charges against Valdez. However, he was still required to appear every two days at the Day Reporting Center located at the Imperial County Jail on Applestill Road, south of El Centro.

Valdez said police not appear before the court during his hearing.

The Brawley Police Department’s account of events is considerably different. Chief Robert Sawyer said the incident occurred at 12:23 a.m. June 29, when office went to investigate a disturbance in the 200 block of West E Street.

While investigating the incident, an officer said he heard an argument.

Police said they found a woman who was bleeding from the lip, and they allege Valdez was in pursuit of the woman and was visibly upset.

It was at that point they elected to subdue him.

“The Brawley Police Department takes cases of domestic violence seriously and is required by law to investigate such crimes,” Sawyer said.

Nevertheless, Valdez told Adelante Valle he intends to file a lawsuit over the incident.