Posted on 07/17/2013 2:00:56 PM PDT by Altariel
SAN MARCOS, Texas -- A police officer in San Marcos is in jail after arresting a pedestrian whom police say didn’t break the law.
Corporal James Angelo Palermo, 40, conducted a traffic stop on May 29 during his midnight shift patrol near 126 S. Guadalupe Street.
According to the arrest affidavit, Palermo stopped a Toyota Prius shortly after 1:00 a.m. for driving the wrong way on a one-way street and began questioning the driver.
A pedestrian walking by was called over by Palermo and asked why she was walking by his traffic stop. He then asked for the woman’s identification.
When the woman insisted she had done nothing wrong Palermo slammed her against the Prius; then onto the concrete driveway near his patrol car.
Palermo arrested the woman for obstruction. After his supervisors reviewed his report and talked to the pedestrian she was released.
Upon further investigation supervisors found the woman had lost two teeth and suffered a concussion during the illegal arrest.
Palermo was arrested for aggravated assault by a public servant. The woman is currently being treated for her injuries and could require further surgery, according to the affidavit.
The department issued the following statement:
"Cpl. James Palermo of the San Marcos Police Department was arrested Tuesday, July 16 and charged with aggravated assault with serious bodily injury by a public servant, a first degree felony, in connection with an incident that occurred May 29 in which a woman suffered serious injuries during an arrest. Police Chief Howard Williams ordered an internal investigation on May 30.
Employed by the SMPD since 2000, Palermo has been on paid administrative leave since June 10 while the San Marcos Police Department conducted the investigation. The arrest was reviewed by the Hays County District Attorney’s Office and by a prosecutor with the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
Palermo was booked in the Hays County Law Enforcement Center Tuesday afternoon and awaits magistration."
/johnny
Alexis Elizabeth Alpha
Obstruction Or Retaliation-F3 (SMPD 13-37174)
Resist Arst-A (SMPD 13-37174)
Pi-C (SMPD 13-37174)
That is really awful! I trust this guy will never be a police officer again.
I am surprised, but pleased, that they disciplined this piece of Rogue Pork. But I bet he would never been arrested if he had just jailed the woman for no reason, but not caused her the obvious injuries.
Good thing she wasn’t videoing the popo’s actions.
Let us also hope that the arrest was expunged from her record.
I am sure the Photography is not a crime blog would have loved to have had vid.
I am surprised she is SMILING after losing the teeth! Cute woman, though - I like!
Fifteen years in general population with his hands cuffed behind his back seems about right.
Younger freepers don’t know that this kind of thing used to be pretty common, at least in 1960s Houston.
She may have wanted to ensure that the tooth damage was part of the official arrest record.
What’s with a jerk like this?
Abused as a child?
Got a problem with that brunette who blew him off in 10th grade??
Jeezus.
Obstruction of Justice could be anyting from looking at a cop wrong to shaking one’s head in disapproval.....
He’ll be a good fit in Obama’s civilian defense force.
Hopefully the guy loses everything and has to re-start his life as a middle aged convicted felon.
Alternative theory...what's the neighborhood like? It was 1 am...was the area well lit...a female could easily approach an officer with a concealed weapon..
Why are we so quick to judge and condemn this cop?
Most people have NO idea what police deal with and face every day..they have to exercise split seconds judgment..with no margin for error. Here in Tampa last year, TWO police officers were killed when they made a routine stop of a car. The driver was out on parole, and his girlfriend, who was in the front seat, did NOT tell the cops that he had a concealed weapon. They were shot down like dogs by this piece of garbage...
I suggest that all of you so quick to lay blame sign up for a ride along with your local PD..
How ‘bout that. Both “white” Hispanics....
Seems to me that’s a good way to be sure they can’t deny the physical evidence of the assault.
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