ARIZONA NEWS

Mesa man sues police department, city over alleged brutality

Oct 3, 2018, 3:52 PM | Updated: 5:41 pm

(Facebook/Mesa Police Department)...

(Facebook/Mesa Police Department)

(Facebook/Mesa Police Department)

PHOENIX – A Valley man who was arrested last year filed a civil lawsuit for brutality against the Mesa Police Department, alleging he was viciously beaten for no reason and choked until he lost consciousness.

Christian Ivan Topete was arrested in October 2017 and charged with two counts of aggravated assault on an officer and one count each of resisting arrest, assault, criminal damage and unlawful imprisonment.

According to the lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona on Tuesday, police went to Topete’s apartment after a neighbor reported hearing an argument.

The suit said Topete and Karina Lopez had been arguing about their son, but there was no physical altercation or complaint by Lopez.

The police booking report, however, said Topete was seen hitting Lopez in the face, and she said she feared for her safety.

It also said Topete failed to obey commands and tried to pull away, which led to the physical altercation. The report also indicated that he was under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.

“In the course of the incident, officers made contact with Christian Topete. While attempting to detain him, a use-of-force encounter occurred,” Mesa Police Detective Nik Rasheta said in a statement.

He also said the case was being investigated by the professional standards unit.

According to the lawsuit, Topete was on his couch, unarmed, when officers arrived, and he did not resist or do anything to provoke being physically attacked while his 2-year-old son was sleeping in the next room.

Topete is seeking unspecified compensation for damages, punitive damages and attorney’s fees.

The lawsuit says the beating left Topete with a fractured nose, bruised ribs, two black eyes, lacerated lips and broken blood vessels in both eyes.

It also cited mental, physical, emotional and familial distress and economic damages.

The suit names the city of Mesa, the Mesa Police Department, Chief Ramon Batista and two officers, Kristen Johnson and Nathan Sund, as defendants.

The department has been under scrutiny for multiple allegations of brutality.

In August, it was announced that the FBI would be investigating two of the incidents.

The Scottsdale Police Department has completed investigations of two incidents and determined that no charges were warranted in either case.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

person crying at memorial honoring victims of Bosnian war...

KTAR.com

Arizona resident who lied about role in Bosnian war sentenced to nearly 6 years in prison

An Arizona resident who lied about his role in the Bosnian War was sentenced on Tuesday to over five years in federal prison.

2 hours ago

Dignitaries, including U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, center, break ground on the new ...

Associated Press

Work resumes on $10B renewable energy transmission project in southwestern Arizona despite tribal objections

Federal land managers briefly halted work on the SunZia transmission line earlier this month after Native American tribes raised concerns.

4 hours ago

...

KTAR Video

Video: How MCSO extradited Lori Vallow Daybell to Phoenix

KTAR News reporter Colton Krolak breaks down Sheriff Paul Penzone’s presser regarding how Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office extradited ‘Doomsday Mom’ Lori Vallow Daybell to Phoenix.

5 hours ago

Lori Vallow Daybell was extradited from Idaho to Maricopa County on Nov. 30, 2023. (MCSO YouTube Sc...

KTAR.com

Here’s how MCSO extradited ‘Doomsday Mom’ Lori Vallow Daybell to Phoenix

Lori Vallow Daybell was extradited from Idaho to Phoenix this week, a task Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said Thursday required meticulous planning.

6 hours ago

...

KTAR Video

Video: Sheriff Paul Penzone explains Lori Vallow Daybell extradition from Idaho, booked in Phoenix jail

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone joined KTAR News’ Gaydos & Chad to discuss ‘Doomsday Mom’ Lori Vallow Daybell being extradited from Idaho and booked into Phoenix jail. Video: Jeremy Schnell and Felisa Cárdenas/KTAR News

6 hours ago

...

KTAR Video

Video: What is doomspending and why is it spreading across the United States?

Video: Jeremy Schnell and Felisa Cárdenas/KTAR News

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Dierdre Woodruff

Interest rates may have peaked. Should you buy a CD, high-yield savings account, or a fixed annuity?

Interest rates are the highest they’ve been in decades, and it looks like the Fed has paused hikes. This may be the best time to lock in rates for long-term, low-risk financial products like fixed annuities.

Follow @KTAR923...

West Hunsaker at Morris Hall supports Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona

KTAR's Community Spotlight this month focuses on Morris Hall and its commitment to supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona.

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Importance of AC maintenance after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

An air conditioning unit in Phoenix is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat.

Mesa man sues police department, city over alleged brutality