A Chaffee County man is suing multiple Colorado law enforcement agencies over excessive force after members of a specialized police team used a “flash-bang” device near his head during the man’s arrest in September, giving him a concussion.
Ellis Athanas, 30, was arrested on a days-old misdemeanor warrant by the Chaffee County Combined Tactical Team in a SWAT-style traffic stop on Sept. 8, according to the lawsuit, which was filed Thursday in Chaffee County District Court.
The tactical team tracked Athanas when he went to a gym on Sept. 8, then followed him as he drove home before conducting a “military-style” traffic stop, the lawsuit alleges. Police body camera footage shows several officers in full tactical gear rush out of the back of a police truck with their guns drawn, shouting and using a megaphone to tell Athanas to “put his hands on his face.”
Athanas was then arrested, but later became nauseous, developed a severe headache and collapsed on the way to jail, according to the lawsuit. He was diagnosed with a concussion. The charges that led to Athanas’ arrest were dropped after a judge found insufficient evidence supporting the allegations, according to the lawsuit. The prior pending charge of false reporting was also dismissed, according to the complaint. Both cases have since been sealed and are not available for public review.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
How Old Michael Keaton's Batman Is In The Flash MovieMichael Keaton is finally returning as Batman in The Flash over thirty years after his last appearance. How old is Keaton's Caped Crusader?
Read more »
THETA, LIDO, KLAY and EGLD flash bullish signs as Bitcoin recaptures $23KBitcoin’s range trading in the $21,000 to $25,000 range is giving altcoin traders confidence, and LDO, EGLD, THETA and $KLAY could be on the verge of a price breakout.
Read more »
Flash's Ultimate Villain Has Only Appeared Once in DC ContinuityThe Reverse-Flash has always been one of Flash’s most disturbing enemies, but a zombified makeover may have been his scariest and most powerful form.
Read more »
No. 4 UCLA can clinch share of Pac-12 title in ColoradoThe Bruins, led lately by the clutch play of senior Jaime Jaquez Jr., need just one more victory in their next three games
Read more »
PHOTOS: Ukrainians of Colorado Rally in Support for Ukraine in Downtown DenverNearly two hundred supporters gathered at the Capitol in downtown Denver to protest Russia
Read more »