Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson has filed a lawsuit in U.S District Court in Minneapolis against two police officers from the city he accused of using excessive force against him in connection with Johnson’s arrest in October of 2014.
Johnson accused off-duty officers John LaLuzerne and Patrick McCarver of unreasonable seizure, false arrest, and use of excessive force. He alleged that those two officers started a confrontation with him outside a Minneapolis restaurant which ended with Johnson being tazed, hit with pepper spray and arrested.
Johnson, who is seeking $75,000 in damages, said he was “injured, jailed, publicly humiliated and ultimately forced to defend himself from criminal charges” after being arrested. He was acquitted of the two misdemeanor charges stemming from the incident last June.
Minneapolis police Lieutenant Bob Kroll, head of the union representing Minneapolis police officers, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that Johnson wanted “special treatment” because he’s a Viking and a public figure, and that the officers were justified in their actions. The Star-Tribune also notes that the officers involved, LaLuzerne and McCarver, were sued over allegations of false arrest and unreasonable force after a 2006 drug bust. The city settled the lawsuit for $45,000.
This is not the only major case involving excessive use of force by police against athletes, as Thabo Sefalosha and Pero Antic have filed suit against the New York Police for use of excessive force against them last April.
The 31-year old Johnson played in 16 games for the Vikings last season, recording 36 totals and 5.5 sacks for the team.
[ESPN]