BELLE CHASSE, La. - An attorney for a 12-year-old boy has released a video that, he says, supports the claim that his client was stomped on by a sheriff's deputy in Louisiana.Ryan K.
Thompson of the Thompson Justice Institute said the video was taken February 19 as deputies were arresting the unidentified boy after pulling him over on a dirt bike in Belle Chasse in Plaquemines Parish.The footage was captured by a dashboard camera in a Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office (PPSO) vehicle.Thompson said the video shows PPSO Deputy Sheriff Anthony Dugas "violently" throwing his client to the ground and Deputy Joseph Francis kicking him several times.Thompson added the boy was riding his bike with friends and family before he was stopped for alleged traffic violations.
The boy had pulled over to the side of the road and turned off his engine before deputies approached him, according to the attorney.RELATED: Grandpa stops rape of 5-year-old girl, punches attacker: police"My client never resisted these large adult deputies!" Thompson said in a press release.The sheriff’s office, however, released a statement on Facebook saying that deputies were involved in a chase with several all-terrain vehicles, including the dirt bike the boy was operating.Authorities said the riders were operating in a reckless manner without functioning headlights in a busy area.
When deputies tried to approach them, the riders took off and a chase ensued.One rider — 20-year-old Jaiques Wilson — ended up crashing and was arrested, according to deputies.