JACKSONVILLE - A Jacksonville man accused the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, the City of Jacksonville Beach and four law enforcement officers of using excessive force in an August 2017 altercation, according to documents filed on March 8 in the Middle Florida District Court.
Plaintiff Christopher White got into a physical fight with an employee at The Surfer Bar in Jacksonville Beach on Aug. 13, 2017, resulting in a call to the Jacksonville Beach PD.
White says he paid his bill and left the restaurant without further incident, but was met by two officers, ED Filbert and PF Watkins, outside the bar's entrance.
Despite the apparent absence of an investigation or statement, the officers attempted to put the plaintiff under arrest, the suit says. White allegedly did not threaten or resist the officers, only tried to explain that there had been a misunderstanding.
Officer Watkins allegedly then tasered White, followed by a taser from the other officer as well. White says he implored the officers to stop, but was placed in a headlock and battered with batons.
A third unidentified officer then approached White and tasered him in the spine, causing him to fall to the ground and be injured, the suit says.
The defendants are sued for excessive force, Monell violations, duty to intervene, assault, battery, false arrest/imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent hiring, retention and supervision. White seeks at least $100,000 for his damages.
White is represented by the Law Offices of C.W. Wickersham Jr. PA of Jacksonville.