Deltona, FL - After a Volusia County Sheriff's Office (VCSO) deputy was fired for fracturing the leg of a handcuffed suspect in Deltona, the County approved a $165,000 settlement for the medical bills.
On September 28, 2016, deputy Andrew Jenkins responded to a disturbance at the Academy of Career Training in Deltona. Two students reported that they were being harassed by a suspect, Pablo Juarez. According to a VCSO Internal Affairs report, Jenkins handcuffed Juarez, and Juarez continually shouted profanities at Jenkins.
Jenkins used a "leg sweep" to take Juarez to the ground. Juarez complained of a leg injury, and he was taken to Florida Hospital Fish Memorial for treatment. He suffered a plateau fracture to his left tibia bone, just below his knee.
An initial VCSO internal investigation ruled that Jenkins used justified force during the arrest, and initial documentation claimed that Juarez resisted, but according to Sheriff's Office documents, a witness video was released in November of last year that prompted another review of Jenkins's actions.
When the results of the second investigation were brought to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood earlier this year, new evidence revealed that Juarez was not actively resisting, and Jenkins's actions were found to be in violation of department policy. Jenkins was served a Final Termination letter on April 2 of this year.
On Tuesday, the Volusia County Council approved the $165,000 settlement, which includes costs for medical treatment, a Medicare lien, and attorney's fees for Juarez.
Photo courtesy Jacob Barone's Law Enforcement.
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