ORLANDO – An associate pastor at an Orlando church alleges a new officer to the Orange County Sheriff's Department unlawfully arrested her and caused her injuries.
Chantale Onaisse filed a complaint on May 8 in the 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida - Orange County against Orange County Deputy Sheriff Keith Hernandez alleging deprivation of civil rights, false imprisonment/arrest and battery.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff, an associate pastor at the Force of Life church, alleges that on Aug. 21, 2014, she escorted an individual out of the church for screaming and yelling at the congregants and otherwise making a scene.
When defendant was dispatched on the scene by a 911 call, the suit states he intentionally and with reckless disregard for plaintiff's right placed her in physical restraints, pushed her to the pavement, kicked her legs multiple times, repeatedly slammed the squad door on her legs, and forced her inside his squad car for a substantial period of time without air conditioning. As a result, plaintiff alleges was harmed, suffered bodily injury, humiliation, and physical and mental pain and anguish and later needed surgery for an injured meniscus.
The plaintiff holds Hernandez responsible because the defendant allegedly used an unreasonable degree of force.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendant for compensatory damages, costs and other just and proper relief. She is represented by Guy S. DiMartino of Guy S. DiMartino PA in Leesburg.
9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida - Orange County Case number 56137254