Army Lieutenant Awarded Just $3,685 For Being Racially Profiled & Pepper Sprayed During Traffic Stop

An Army lieutenant who was brutalized by Virginia police in 2020 acquired slightly over $3,000 in a settlement.

On Tuesday, Caron Nazario was awarded $3,685 in a federal lawsuit, which is pennies in comparison with the trauma he endured on that fateful night time. The ordeal unfolded in December 2020 whereas Nazario was driving his newly bought Chevy Tahoe in Windsor. Officers Joseph Gutierrez and Daniel Crocker pulled over Nazario, claiming they have been suspicious as a result of the truck had no seen license plate with an “extremely dark” window tint. The tag was displayed within the rear window however had not been positioned on the again of the truck but.

Crocker proceeded to go looking the car, regardless of Nazario refusing. Physique cam footage confirmed Gutierrez pepper spraying Nazario when he didn’t get out of the truck instantly, regardless of him expressing that he feared for his security. Gutierrez advised the lieutenant, who’s Black and Latino, that he ought to be afraid.

In April 2021, Nazario sued each officers for racial profiling and assault. He sought $1 million in damages. This week, a jury awarded him simply $1,000 in punitive damages for the unlawful search carried out by Crocker. They then granted him one other $2,685 compensation for the pepper spray assault. Whereas they agreed that Crocker violated Nazario’s Fourth Modification proper to refuse a search, the jury believed he did it with out malice. Subsequently, they declined to award him any compensation for that offense.

Nazario’s legal professional, Tom Roberts, stated the decision was a “sad day” and failed to guard residents towards racist officers. The Windsor Police Division discharged Gutierrez in 2021 for violating departmental guidelines in the course of the incident.