Khalid Vaughn (2021)

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Overview

On July 26, 2021, Khalid Vaughn and Sharif Cobb witnessed the incident between several Miami Beach Florida Police Department officers and Dalonta Crudup and began filming on their cell phones.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said that video shows Vaughn, who was filming the incident about 12 to 15 feet away, backing up as officers approached him, yet Robert Sabater charged at him, tackling him to the floor and repeatedly punching him.[1]

Fernandez Rundle said officers cornered Vaughn and he was repeatedly struck by both David Rivas and Steven Serrano. [1] The police report states that one officer delivered "multiple right elbow strikes to Mr. Vaughn’s facial area" while another threw "approximately four right closed fist strikes" to Vaughn’s face.[2]

Vaughn was arrested for impeding, provoking and harassing officers[1] though another source says Vaughn was initially charged with resisting arrest.[2]. Cobb was also arrested [1] for a misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer without violence and a civil infraction. He was released on a $1,500 bond. [3]

Four unnamed officers were relieved of duty with pay.[4][2] A fifth officer was also later relieved of duty. [3]

Police Chief Richard Clements called for an internal investigation and asked the state attorney’s office to label the charges against Vaughn as "no action."[4]

On July 26, 2021, Rivas, Sabater, and Serrano were relieved of duty (with pay).[5]

On July 27, 2021, charges against Vaughn of resisting an arrest with violence and impeding a police investigation were been dropped.[6][3]

On August 2, 2021, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced first-degree misdemeanor battery charges against the five officers involved.[7]

On September 9, 2021, the five officers were arraigned and charged with misdemeanor battery.[8]

On September 23, 2021, it was announced that Serrano would be charged with official misconduct, which is a third-degree felony.[9][10]

On April 11, 2022, Vaughn filed a lawsuit against the city, Clements, Sabater, and other officers, claiming civil rights violations.[11]

In September 2022, the city planned to vote to approve a $119,000 settlement with Vaughn.[12]

In May 2023, the charge against Sabater was dropped due to a lack of evidence and jurisdiction. The state attorney's office announced plans to appeal.[13]

On May 25, 2023, the charge against Rivas was dropped due to a lack of evidence and jurisdiction. The state attorney's office announced plans to appeal.[13]

In October 2023, the prosecutor dropped the charge of battery against Serrano because of a "gray area we wouldn't be able to overcome with [the state's] stand your ground" law, which can provide immunity and justify the use of force.[14]

On May 24, 2024, prosecutors dropped the misconduct charge against Serrano based on a court ruling in the Alejandro Giraldo case, where Giraldo was not found to have knowingly or intentionally falsified a report.[15]

Video

Hotel surveilance and bodycam footage

Also:

Officers Involved


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Rosh Lowe, 5 Miami Beach police officers face battery charges after rough arrests, local10.com, 2021-08-02
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Alex Zephyr, Miami Police Officers Placed on Leave for Attacking Black Man who was Recording Arrest, Cassius, 2021-07-29
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Andrea Torres, Miami Beach relieves 5th officer of duty in excessive use of force probe, local10.com, 2021-07-30
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4 Miami Beach Police Officers Relieved Of Duty Over Use Of Force Following Arrest, CBS4 Miami, 2021-07-26
  5. ↑ Martin Vassolo, Statement by Chief Clements, Twitter, 2021-07-26
  6. ↑ Aleksandra Bush, Rough arrest caught on camera; five Miami officers facing charges, KNWA FOX 24, 2021-08-03
  7. ↑ Rosh Lowe, 5 Miami Beach police officers face battery charges after rough arrests, local10.com, 2021-08-02
  8. ↑ Saira Anwer, 5 Miami Beach police officers arraigned on battery charges for rough arrests, local10.com, 2021-09-09
  9. ↑ Charges Upgraded To Felonies For Three Miami Beach Police Officers Accused Of Rough Arrest, CBS Miami, 2021-09-23
  10. ↑ Felony Charges to be Filed Against Three Miami Beach Police Officers, Miami State Attorney's Office, 2021-09-23
  11. ↑ Vaughn et al v. City of Miami Beach et al, U.S. District Court, 2022-04-11
  12. ↑ Miami Beach nears settlement in excessive force case, Axios, 2022-09-27
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Christian Colón, Charges Dropped for 2 Miami Beach Police Officers Accused of Beating Tourist in 2021, NBC Miami, 2023-05-25
  14. ↑ Christian Colón, 2 years later, prosecutors say Miami Beach officer's actions were ‘lawful' in 2021 beating, NBC Miami, 2023-10-17
  15. ↑ Christian Colon, Miami Beach cop charged in 2021 tourist beating cleared after appeals court decision, NBC Miami, 202405025

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