ORLANDO - Osceola County faces charges in the U.S. District for the Middle District of Florida after six deputies allegedly used unreasonable force with plaintiff Pedro L. Miranda, according to documents filed on March 11.
Miranda was in his vehicle in the ALDI grocery store parking lot in Poinciana when the deputies reported to the lot for a call unrelated to the plaintiff. When the deputies saw Miranda, who allegedly looked sleepy or drunk, in his car a few parking spaces down, they approached and reached into his vehicle, ripped his car keys from him, pulled him out from his car, pinned him to the ground and beat him, the lawsuit claims.
The plaintiff says there was no probable cause for the deputies' behavior, including no smell of cannabis or alcohol, and that the deputies should have called for help for what was obviously a medical emergency, as Miranda was suffering from a diabetic hypoglycemic episode.
Miranda tested negative for alcohol or drugs once he was finally transported to a medical facility. He had numerous abrasions and contusions and a fractured rib, the suit says.
The county is sued for excessive force used by its deputies, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, negligent hiring, retention and training and civil conspiracy.
Miranda seeks at least $30,000 in damages. He is represented by the Nater Law Firm PLLC of Orlando.