Jacksonville man whose viral arrest video sparked outrage announces federal lawsuit against officers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Le’Keian Woodsa man whose the arrest sparked outrage online and raised questions about the use of force at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officefiled a federal lawsuit.

Woods will join his attorneys and community activists for a press conference Thursday at 1 p.m. outside the Bryan Simpson U.S. District Court to talk about the lawsuit that was filed against the former and current JSO officers who were involved in the arrest .

A JSO body-worn police video last year captured a foot chase through a Jacksonville neighborhood in which JSO officers recounted Woods to stop the fight, following the escape attempts, while the police stopped the traffic.

Bystander video of the incident showed Woods face down on the ground surrounded by several officers as they forcibly placed him in handcuffs. A photo showing him bloodied and bruised drew strong reactions from the local community and not only that, but the Department of Justice he cleared the officers of any wrongdoing.

Photo of Le’Keian Woods when he was arrested (L) and his updated mug from October (WJXT)

In the days following Woods’ arrest, Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters responded to critics, saying a video of the incident had been tampered with and didn’t tell the whole story.

Many people said it looked like an officer intentionally hit Woods while he was handcuffed on the curb.

Several of the allegations against Woods were either demoted or dropped. He originally faced two counts of armed trafficking and drug charges, but those charges were dropped and his original charge of resisting an officer with violence was replaced with resisting without violence, and he later pleaded guilty.

In this video taken from the Jacksonville, Florida Sheriff’s Office, suspect Le’Keian Woods lies on the ground after being beaten and shot with a Taser during his arrest, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Florida A. A Florida sheriff released body camera footage Monday, Oct. 2, that he says shows his officers were justified in repeatedly punching, elbowing and kneeing Woods, a drug suspect. who pursued him after he was pulled over with two others during a traffic stop. (Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office via AP) (Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office)

Woods is represented by renowned civil rights attorneys Harry Daniels and John Burris as well as Norman Harris.

Attorneys said the officers involved in the incident have been the subject of multiple complaints and investigations, including Hunter Sullivan, who was suspended after an altercation with a woman outside a Jacksonville bar in 2019.

Another officer involved in Woods’ arrest, Josue Garriga, pleaded guilty to sexually luring a child he met at a Clay County church earlier this year. Garriga was fired from JSO following his arrest.

Both Garriga and Sullivan, along with Beau Daigle and Trey McCullough, were named in the suit.

The lawsuit alleged that Woods was punched multiple times in the head and face by Garriga, Sullivan and McCullough after being picked up by Sullivan.

“The plaintiff brings federal constitutional claims against the defendants, in their individual capacities, for committing acts under color of law that deprived the plaintiff of his rights under the Constitution,” the suit states.

JSO said in a statement that it “does not comment on pending litigation.”