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| NEWS > 02 January 2008 |
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Current, former Ambridge polic
One current and one former Ambridge police officer pleaded not guilty today to federal civil rights and obstruction of justice charges.
A grand jury accused Richard Heitzenrater, 60, of Ambridge of using excessive force during the Feb. 20 arrest of David Andrew Baker, 41, of Ambridge. Baker is awaiting trial on state charges of public drunkenness, indecent exposure, open lewdness, corruption of minors and disorderly conduct.
During the arrest, Heitzenrater struck and kneed Baker in the head and body, according to an indictment. Heitzenrater has since retired from the police f... Read more
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 Article sourced from
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WJZ - Baltimore,MD,USA
02 January 2008
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Baltimore Police Department, M
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Man Likely To Sue Police For $
Lawyers for a man who claims a Baltimore City police officer sodomized him while two more officers watched are preparing to slap the city with a $100 million lawsuit.
The allegations started at Jefferson and Curley streets on Oct. 22. Steven Vernarelli was on his way to Johns Hopkins Hospital when three officers stopped him.
His lawyer, Gary Bowen, claims those officers asked if he had any money. He gave them $20 and things took a startling turn.
"The police officers then took the money, tore it into shreds, took part of that $20 bill and committed an act of sexual sadism, shall we say," Bowen said.
Bowen alleges one officer sodomized his client with the money while two more watched and laughed, then threatened him.
"`You better get out of here in five seconds. If you don't, we're going to drag you into the alley and beat the [expletive] out of you,'" Bowen said.
Vernarelli called an ambulance and was taken to Mercy Hospital. He says he also called police to report what happened.
Baltimore City Police tell Eyewitness News they don't comment on pending litigation and declined to say anything else about this case.
Vernarelli's lawyer sent a letter to the city solicitor announcing a $100 million civil lawsuit against Baltimore.
"I've seen worse cases of direct police physical brutality, but nothing of this sort of sexually sadistic nature," Bowen said.
Bowen says his client later identified the officers through photographs as part of a police investigation, but police will not reveal the officers' names.
"He was first told the police officers would be indicted. That hasn't happened," he said.
Bowen points to the case of Abner Louima in New York City who was sodomized by police with a broomstick. That case sparked protests and Louima eventually won a multi-million dollar lawsuit.
"When this happens, two things happen. First of all, respect for law enforcement and the law declines and also, civil liberties decline," Bowen said. "This misconduct must stop. It must end."
The alleged victim claims he never had any prior contact with these officers.
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