U.S. Marshal Filmed Crushing Cellphone of Woman Recording
LOS ANGELES, April 23 (UPI) — A U.S. marshal was filmed charging a woman in the Los Angeles area and destroying her cellphone as she was filming, sparking an investigation into the incident.Beatriz Paez filed a complaint to police in the Los Angeles area, but police do not have authority over marshals. She said she was walking on Sunday when she noticed what looked like an arrest. She stood on the sidewalk and began recording with her cellphone.
Two officers attempted to block Paez’s view. A second woman was recording Paez and her interaction with the marshals.
“You’re making me feel unsafe. I have a right to be here,” Paez is heard saying in the video.
A deputy U.S. marshal rushed Paez, wrestled the phone away from her hands, threw it on the ground, stomped on it and kicked it away.
The U.S. Marshals Service is investigating the incident.
Rep. Janice Hahn, D-Calif., who represents Paez’s district, said the marshal’s actions were illegal because Paez wasn’t hindering an arrest or investigation.
“I condemn the actions of the U.S. marshal who violently and improperly responded by destroying Ms. Paez’s property, terrifying her and denying her rights,” Hahn said in a statement. She has called on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate.
