Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office deputies working as security guards sued for excessive force
PHOENIX AZ Sept 10 2018 — A tubing trip with friends took a disastrous turn for a Scottsdale man last summer when it resulted in a scuffle with police. One officer was left with a broken leg and the man had permanent scarring from bites by a K9 officer.
Shane McGough, 27-year-old, filed a lawsuit against the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office claiming he was tortured when deputies allowed the K9 officer, Sergeant Shadow, to bite him for more than three minutes while McGough was pinned down and handcuffed in a holding cell, according to the Phoenix New Times.
“When you’re subjecting someone to lengthy and continuous pain and maiming, torture is an appropriate word,” said Steven Guy, the attorney representing McGough, said to the news site.
The incident was captured on three different police body cameras, the Phoenix New Times said.
After leaving Salt River on July 15, 2017, McGough and three friends got into an argument with an Uber driver who claimed their truck had hit his car.
Two Maricopa County deputies working as private security for a tubing rental company responded. David Crissinger questioned the driver while Michael Finney searched the truck.
McGough attempted to block Finney from searching, saying it was an unlawful search. Police saw a handgun in the car, according to the Phoenix New Times.
The site reports that McGough’s complaint claims Finney “forcefully grabbed” McGough’s throat.
The MCSO response said Finney was attempted to prevent McGough from reaching the handgun, according to the Phoenix New Times.
While there is some disagreement between the two sides what happened, both agreed McGough “responded by striking Finney with a closed fist” and Crissinger “twisted and fractured his leg” while tackling McGough, according to the news site.
McGough’s suit asks for $4 million from the MCSO and $2 million from the Forest Service for emotional and physical damages, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.
In the video, McGough can be seen and heard on video writhing in pain while being bitten by Sergeant Shadow.
He claims that his wounds from the dog attack went untreated for more than one hour before he was brought to Mesa Banner Hospital and then later booked into Maricopa County Jail
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone released a statement to the Phoenix New Times.
“The complexities of this event are and have been under thorough review, evaluation and litigation,” he said. “We will provide appropriate details and responses to this event at the conclusion of the internal investigation and litigation.”
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