A Tennessee police officer allegedly beat a Black man and subjected him to a full-body cavity search on the side of the road earlier this year after he accused him of driving with tinted windows.
What We Know:
- Daniel Wilkey (26), is a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy. He was out on paid administrative leave since the incident occurred in July. But on Tuesday, Wilkey was officially arrested and indicted on charges of rape, sexual battery, false imprisonment, obstruction, and many others.
- According to the the civil lawsuit filed by James Mitchell, Wilkey pulled Mitchell over for tinted windows and because he smelled of marijuana. He forced Mitchell and his girlfriend to exit the vehicle and then shortly after, Wilkey handcuffed Mitchell and began to search him.
- Mitchell says he told Wilkey he had a large hernia that was untreated and said he was in pain, which allegedly caused Wilkey and Brewer to beat Mitchell with “fists, knees, and feet”.
- Mitchell details that Wilkey removed his pants and conducted a cavity search on the side of the road without his consent. Mitchell’s girlfriend was forced to watch in fear and was afraid they would kill him.
- Mitchell underwent surgery at a local hospital for the irritated hernia and was also treated for tears in his anus.
- With everything being caught on Wilkey’s dash-camera, the incident sparked community protests and outrage. According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the footage was referred to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for further investigation. The bureau’s findings were then sent to the Hamilton County District Attorney General, which brought about Tuesday’s indictment.
There have been numerous lawsuits filed against Wilkey this year, some of them include minors.
