FALL RIVER, Mass. — A man injured while being arrested by Fall River Police has filed a lawsuit against the department for ‘unreasonable force and other misconduct,’ according to a complaint filed last week.
The suit, on behalf of Carlos Rodan, claims two officers unjustly arrested Rodan and used excessive force, setting off a chain reaction of injuries that have adversely affected Rodan’s life.
On Oct. 6, 2014, Fall River Police Officers Michael Pessoa and Andre DeMelo were called to Roldan’s parents’ home. According to the complaint, Roldan’s family was having a party and two women began screaming at each other before each called the police.
When officers Pessoa and DeMelo arrived, the complaint states Roldan asked why they were arresting his sister.
Roldan has a condition that makes him unable to extend his fingers, so he has a surgically implanted tool to help his fingers extend called a 'Digit Widget,' the complaint explains.
While questioning the officers, Pessoa allegedly grabbed Roldan by the arm and threw him to the ground. Roldan says his ‘Diget Widget’ got stuck in the dirt when he hit the ground.
Because the tool was embedded in the dirt, the complaint states Roldan was unable to get up, which prompted one of the officers to kick him repeatedly in the shin.
According to the complaint, Roldan’s tibia was shattered near his knee and he required surgery to hold it together. Subsequently, Roldan says his surgical wound got infected and complications from it have caused him lasting damage.
“The [police] reports did not mention that an officer kicked Mr. Roldan’s leg,” the complaint states. “To cover up their use of unreasonable force, Officer Pessoa gave false explanations of the cause of Mr. Roldan’s injury. Officer Pessoa claimed in his police report that Mr. Roldan fractured his leg either because he landed awkwardly or because his knee hit a rock.”
The Roldan family has since moved out of Fall River and the charges against him are set to be dismissed.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
FOX25 reached out to Fall River Police for comment. This story will be updated with the department’s response.
Cox Media Group
