A Houston resident is suing over claims of illegal detention, false arrest and excessive force.
Carlos Gonzalez filed a lawsuit Feb. 19 in the U.S. Court for the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Able Huerta, citing illegal detention, false arrest and excessive force.
The complaint states on July 10, 2012, Gonzalez was picking up his wife from her job at the Spring Branch Independent School District. Gonzalez claims he was legally parked when Huerta, who is a police officer with the Spring Branch ISD approached the plaintiff's vehicle and asked for his driver's license, according to the complaint. The plaintiff alleges he asked the police officer why he needed the license.
The suit alleges the defendant then opened the plaintiff’s door, placed his wrist in a handcuff, violently pulled him out of the vehicle and placed him in the patrol car.
Gonzalez says he was still in the recovery process from a recent back surgery and the defendant’s excessive and unnecessary force caused his disk to rupture, requiring a subsequent back surgery.
The defendant ultimately issued Gonzalez a citation for failure to identify himself, which was dismissed by the city of Houston, according to the complaint.
Gonzalez is seeking damages in an amount in excess of jurisdictional minimum of the court.
He is being represented in the case by attorney Scott H. Palmer of Scott H. Palmer PC.
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Case No. 4:14-cv-00396
This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.
Police officer with the Spring Branch Independent School District sued
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