A lawsuit has been filed against the City of Rochester and its police department, claiming a 16 year old boy was beaten by police last May.
The suit, announced Friday by local attorney Van White, is on behalf of Lucrecia Maddox, who is the parent of Yahmiek Maddox.
The suit says that last May 25, Maddox was approached by officers because they thought he had an open container containing an alcoholic beverage. White says the bottle had juice in it.
After initially handcuffing Maddox, officers then decided to release him. The lawsuit says that as the teen started to walk away, he called one of the officers a name.
At that point, it’s alleged the officer, Phillip Perelli, attacked Maddox by first slapping, then grabbing Maddox about the neck. The suit says that several officers wrestled Maddox to the ground, and Perelli is accused of punching Maddox while he was defenseless.
The lawsuit says that after putting handcuffs on Maddox for a second time, Perelli allegedly sprayed mace on Maddox as he sat in the police car. Perelli is also named individually in the lawsuit.
Maddox was initially charged with harassment and resisting arrest but according to the suit, those charges were later dismissed.
The lawsuit calls for an unspecified amount of damages for pain and suffering and it also calls for more training for RPD officers.
The city released this statement:
“Because this is now pending litigation and, in such matters, we are obligated to protect the interest of city taxpayers, we cannot offer additional details or comment at this time.”
A police union official, Locust Club President Mike Mazzeo says a complaint was made and an internal investigation was initiated by the department some time ago. Mazzeo says he can't comment on where that investigation stands right now.
This is video provided by Van White from a nearby surveillance camera at a convenience store near Joseph Avenue and Wilkins Street: