Belmar Surfer Put Into Chokehold Pleads Guilty, Must Pay $1,410 In Fines

BELMAR, NJ — The surfer who was put into a chokehold by a Belmar police officer last August because he was on the beach without a beach tag has now pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, obstruction and resisting arrest — all disorderly persons offenses — as well as a violation of the town's beach badge ordinance.

This was confirmed Thursday by Belmar town court administrator Patty White.

The surfer, Liam Mahoney, 28, of California, also agreed to pay fines and court costs for all the offenses, including the beach badge charge, for a total of $1,410, White confirmed.

The Belmar Police officer, identified as Ryan Braswell, put Mahoney in a chokehold and pushed him down into the sand on Aug. 20, 2024. This video, which shows the second half of their encounter, is drawing widespread outcry on social media, with many members of the public alleging police brutality.

Here is the video of what happened, from the officer's body camera:

Belmar Police Chief Tina Scott said that summer the town of Belmar had received multiple complaints about surfers entering the beach across the dunes, and refusing to show beach badges when Belmar beach attendants asked. She said the officer in question that day, Braswell, had specifically been asked to check surfers and others for daily and seasonal beach badges.

"The subject, later identified as Liam Mahoney, was approached by officers and when asked for his badge, he replied 'I do not need one,'" said the police chief. "Officer Braswell then advised the specific state and local laws that require Mr. Mahoney to have a badge, and he is not exempt. Officer Braswell then asked Mr. Mahoney for his identification in order to issue him a summons. Mr. Mahoney again refused to give his information and began to walk away."

She said the police officer then told Mahoney he was not free to leave, but Mahoney continued to walk away and Braswell followed him. Officer Braswell then advised him that he would be placed under arrest if he did not cooperate. Once he caught up with him, the officer asked Mahoney multiple times to drop his surfboard, which he refused, according to the body camera video.

"Officer Braswell then removed the surfboard from Mr. Mahoney so that he can be placed under arrest," said Scott. "Mr. Mahoney was told approximately nine to ten times to place his hands behind his back, but he continued to resist, preventing Officer Braswell from handcuffing him. Officer Braswell continued to speak with Mr. Mahoney to try to de-escalate the situation and avoid additional physical contact. Mr. Mahoney continued to not cooperate with Officer Braswell who then took him to the ground to gain control of his arms in order to place him under arrest."

Do surfers need beach badges? Yes, they do, said Belmar Police Chief Scott. The surfer appeared to argue that he did not need a badge because he was not technically on the beach; he was only walking across the beach to get to the ocean.

Chief Scott said state law (N.J.S.A. 40:61-22.20) enables any NJ town that borders the Atlantic Ocean to charge the public for beach access, which towns use to pay for lifeguards, beach facilities and beach cleaning.

"Surfers are not the subject of the exceptions," she said.

Initial Patch report: Belmar Police Put Surfer In Chokehold For Lack Of Beach Badge: Video (Aug. 2024)