Sugar Land Police Sued In Beating Of Homeless Man

SUGAR LAND, TX -- A man who claims to have endured a beating by three Sugar Land Police officers during an encounter two years ago has filed a federal lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday by civil rights lawyer Randall Kallinen, who is representing Jerold Griffin in the case.

According to the lawsuit, Griffin, 45, was assaulted by Sugar Land police officers J. Young, M. Shockey, and L. Jones in September 2016. Griffin, who was homeless at the time of the encounter, said in his affidavit that the officers approached him while he was sitting on a bench late at night inside Mayfield Park.

The three officers questioned Griffin, and according to court documents, he was allowed to walk away. However, as he was walking away, the lawsuit claims Young asked to search Griffin and Griffin started to run.

According to court documents, the officers tackled Griffin and began beating him, and then threatened him by holding a gun to his head. Griffin suffered broken ribs and a fractured eye socket from the incident, according to his attorneys.

City of Sugar Land Communications Director Doug Adolph said in a statement that Griffin was found sitting in Mayfield Park before midnight by a patrol officer who called for backup because the park was closed.

“The man [Griffin] provided conflicting information to police officers - at different times during the conversation, he told police he had no place to stay, didn't have enough money to pay for a ride to work and had family members living in the immediate neighborhood,” Adolph said. “When asked if he had anything illegal in his possession, [Griffin] became erratic and started placing his hands in his pockets and waistband. He was told to remove his hands. He refused and ran away. He was quickly caught and actively fought with the officers. Once in custody, illegal narcotics and cash were found concealed on him. He sustained minor injuries. EMS was called, but Griffin refused treatment and transport to a hospital. He was later transported to Fort Bend County Jail.”

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