According to the Essence.com, the federal suit was filed last Friday by Antonio Arnelo Smith, who alleges Valdosta police officers detained and injured him during an encounter in February that ended up being a case of mistaken identity.
Body camera footage of the encounter shows the incident began peacefully: a Black officer told Smith someone reported suspicious activity in the area.
As Smith gives the officer his ID and explains why he’s in the area, Valdosta Police Sgt. Billy Wheeler walks up to Smith, restrains him in a “bear hug,” and within seconds of telling him to put his hands behind his back, slams him to the ground.
The city of Valdosta released a statement Monday: “The City of Valdosta and the Valdosta Police Department takes [sic] any report of any injury to a citizen seriously.
Although there was no complaint filed with VPD, once the shift supervisor was notified, it prompted the review process of the incident by the officer’s supervisor, patrol bureau commander, Internal Affairs Division and chief of police.”
