A former Williamson County sheriff’s deputy once featured on the reality show “Live PD” and involved in at least three controversial force incidents has been charged with assault and official oppression from his encounter with a domestic violence victim in September 2019.
The incident involving Lorenzo Hernandez, who voluntarily left the force in late 2020, had received no public attention until reporting last fall from the American-Statesman and KVUE-TV during a months-long investigation of the agency. Hernandez is the sixth person, including the county’s former sheriff, to face 10 felony and misdemeanor charges for crimes officials say they committed in connection to their work with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. A new sheriff, Mike Gleason, took office in January.
Lawsuit filed against former Wilco sheriff over 2019 traffic stop
By FOX 7 Austin Digital Team
Published
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas - More lawsuits are being brought against former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody over his deputies use of force while the reality TV show Live PD recorded incidents.
Ramsey Mitchell claims that back in June 2019, he was pulled over for allegedly missing a front license plate. After pulling him over, the lawsuit says deputies issued a call to have a TV crew film the encounter.
Mitchell claims he was assaulted by five deputies suffering many life-altering injuries, including a fractured eye socket, broken teeth, and damaged vertebrae.
Two more federal lawsuits alleging excessive use of force in arrests have been filed in the past week against former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and Williamson County.
Ramsey Mitchell, a Midland resident, filed a lawsuit on Monday saying that Williamson County deputies beat him until he was unconscious and left him with lasting injuries during a traffic stop in 2019 filmed by the Live PD television show.
Mitchell also sued five former and/or current deputies, as well as Big Fish Entertainment, the producer of Live PD, and the A&E Network, which aired the show.
Chody did not return requests for comment about the lawsuits and Williamson County does not comment on pending litigation. Chody has three other pending lawsuits against him claiming excessive use of force. He lost his race for re-election in November.
KUT
Two more people have filed lawsuits against the Williamson County Sheriff s Department claiming deputies used excessive force during a traffic stop and arrest.
One lawsuit filed Tuesday on behalf of Midland resident Ramsey Mitchell claims deputies assaulted Mitchell in June 2019 following a traffic stop for not having a front license plate.
A statement from Mitchell’s attorneys said he was punched, kicked and tased by deputies multiple times, and that he was put in a chokehold before being rendered unconscious. The incident was captured on camera for the now-canceled reality television show “Live PD.”
“Ramsey suffered a fractured eye socket requiring reconstructive surgery, fractured jaw, fractured nose, concussion, two broken teeth, two damaged vertebrae in his spine, torn elbow ligament, and a busted ear drum,” the statement said.
Man arrested by Williamson County deputies in June 2019 suing for excessive force, assault
Two of the five deputies involved in the arrest were the same two deputies involved in the death of Javier Ambler. Author: KVUE Staff Updated: 9:45 AM CDT May 4, 2021
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas A man whose June 2019 arrest was broadcast on Live PD is suing Williamson County, former Sheriff Robert Chody and the five deputies involved in the arrest for excessive force and assault. The lawsuit also asserts claims for negligence and civil conspiracy against A&E Network and Big Fish Entertainment, the powers behind Live PD.
The plaintiff, Ramsey Mitchell, was arrested in Williamson County on June 14, 2019. The lawsuit alleges that Mitchell was brutally assaulted by deputies after he was pulled over for allegedly missing a front license plate.