TRINIDAD, Colo. — (TRINIDAD, Colo.) -- A Colorado man involved in an altercation with two Las Animas County police officers filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday morning stating that he was 'violently and without justification assaulted' at a traffic stop last November.
TRINIDAD, Colo. — -- A Colorado man involved in an altercation with two Las Animas County police officers filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday morning stating that he was “violently and without justification assaulted” at a traffic stop last November.
According to the complaint, Deputy Noel drive stunned Espinoza 15 times while he was seated in his truck and approximately seven additional times while trying to force Espinoza into the police vehicle. The complaint also alleges that during the struggle to get Espinoza in the patrol vehicle, Officer Trujillo struck Espinoza in the face with one barb of his Taser.
While Mehr believes Axon Taser’s are used by the Las Animas County Sheriff's Department, the department did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment to confirm. The body camera appears to show Trujillo pulling Kenneth Espinoza's arm from inside the vehicle as Noel can be seen climbing inside the vehicle on the passenger side, appearing to jab Kenneth Espinoza on his side with his stun gun multiple times until he gets out of the car.
"This matter has been referred to an outside agency for review. At present time there are no updates on the internal investigation pertaining to this matter. No further comment will be provided due to pending litigation," the Las Animas Sheriff's Department said in a statement to ABC News. "The district attorney acknowledges that there was a delay in informing our office of his decision not to file charges in the matter," the sheriff's department release stated.The lawsuit also states that Espinoza spent one day in jail and paid bond to be released.
A settlement conference regarding this case took place last November and all parties agreed to a settlement, according to court documents.
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