LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Two Kentucky teens have accused police in Lexington of brutality during a fraud investigation.
The couple’s “unusual and alarming encounter with police” on Tuesday is under review, the Lexington Police Department said in a statement. “We regret any fear, anxiety, and injuries this incident caused them.”
Preston Gage Slone, 18, and Elena Amayrany Perez, 19, told news outlets they were assaulted by Lexington police and a Kentucky State Police trooper when Slone attempted to redeem several U.S. savings bonds at a Chase Bank.
Slone said at one point he was pushed to the ground and felt officers’ knees on his neck, head and back.
“I didn’t know if I was going to lose my life, I was fearful for my life, fearful what was going to happen to her (Perez). A state of emergency came over my body as I’m telling them I can’t breathe. One of the officers said clearly to me: ‘Shut up, if you’re talking, you’re breathing.’”
Mayor Linda Gorton said Thursday an investigation started when the complaint was received.
“There are some unanswered questions, and some issues to resolve. We expect the investigative process to get to the truth,” she said.
Scott White, the attorney for Slone and Perez, released a letter sent to Police Chief Lawrence Weathers that says Chase Bank appears to have called 911 when Slone tried to redeem the bonds because of a counterfeit bond problem at a separate location.
Police said a bank employee reported earlier in the day that a white male had been to several locations attempting to cash fraudulent savings bonds, and officers were investigating whether Slone was that suspect.
Perez stayed in a vehicle during the beginning of the altercation, but an officer forced her out and pulled out a clump of her hair, the letter said. Perez was handcuffed and put into a transport wagon, according to the letter.
Police said detectives and officers determined that Slone and Perez were not involved in the earlier incident and neither teen was charged.
Perez, Slone and their counsel said in the letter that a formal complaint would be filed against one officer and they requested a transparent disciplinary process.
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