California Democratic Rep. Janice Hahn is calling on the Department of Justice to investigate an incident in South Gate, in which a deputy U.S. marshal is seen on video grabbing the cellphone of a woman who was recording an arrest and smashing it on the ground.
Beatriz Paez said she was out walking Sunday when she decided to take out her phone and record what appeared to be an arrest, several houses up the street, CNN reported.
Ms. Paez said marshals asked her to stop recording but she told them she had a right to do so.
“You’re making me feel unsafe. I have a right to be here,” you can hear Ms. Paez say in the video. The incident was recorded by another woman with a cell phone camera across the street, CNN reported.
An officer with a rifle begins walking in her direction and then runs up to her and wrestles the phone from her hands.
The officer then appears to throw the phone on the ground and kick it away. Ms. Paez said she filed a complaint Wednesday with police in South Gate, but the police don’t have authority over marshals, CNN reported.
The U.S. Marshals Service said it is reviewing the incident, and Ms. Paez is considering a lawsuit.
Ms. Hahn, who represents South Gate, called the marshal’s actions illegal and told CNN that she had written a letter to outgoing U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder demanding a federal investigation into the incident.
“I was alarmed and upset by the actions of the law enforcement officer captured on the video,” Mr. Hahn said in a statement, the Los Angeles Times reported. “We must hold all who are sworn to protect and serve accountable and send a clear message that they are not beyond the law.”
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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