Lawsuit Against Sheriff's Office Alleges Brutality

One deputy has been placed on administrative leave in the wake of a lawsuit over the Nov. 11 arrest of 19-year-old Devante Pittman.

A lawsuit filed in the case said alleges three deputies, and one in particular, used excessive force during a traffic stop in West Ashley.

Pittman was initially stopped on Orleans Road for failure to use a turn signal but by the end of the stop was charged with assault and battery — 3rd degree.

Pittman's attorney contends his client did nothing wrong, and that Deputy Christopher Davis attacked Pittman unprovoked. The lawsuit alleges Davis repeatedly struck Pittman with his flashlight while attempting to pull Pittman out of his car. Two additional deputies responded to the location and also helped pull Pittman out of his car.

The suit also alleges Davis grabbed the back of Pittman's head and punched him in the face repeatedly. Live5news has more on the lawsuit here.

On Monday night the Sheriff's Office released video footage of the arrest from the in-car cameras of the deputies' cars.