16 Year Old Latino Boy Stomped in Alley by Denver Police Officer was Handcuffed, Unarmed

/

vasquez.jpg
Police Report says Officer Jumped on his back at least 4 Times
A Denver Police officer was arrested Thusrday after being accused of beating a 16-year-old boy. The officer in question is Charles Porter, a member of the Denver Gang Unit. Porter, 40, was arrested and booked into jail Thursday. He is now facing second degree felony assault charges in the beating of Juan Vasquez. He has since bonded out. He has also been suspended without pay. Porter's accused of kicking, punching and beating Vasquez three weeks ago in an alley in North Denver while Vasquez was handcuffed and on the ground. The statement of probable cause signed by police Sgt. Paul Jimenez states that on April 18, a foot chase ensued after Porter saw Vasquez consuming what appeared to be alcohol in the 1500 block of West 37th Avenue. The statement adds that two Denver police officers witnessed the incident and identified Porter as the officer who jumped up and down on Vasquez's back.

Felipe Vasquez. said "they beat him bad. If I did that to a 16-year-old kid, I'd be in jail right now. They beat my little brother inside out. They kicked him, they kicked his body and made his liver bleed," said Felipe. He said the beating was so brutal, the family posted fliers all over the neighborhood asking anyone who may have witnessed the beating for more information,. "Somebody needs to be held accountable for this. Willie didn't deserve this. He didn't even try to resist. He didn't have any weapons on him. He didn't try to fight back."

According to Felipe, Porter was not only beating his brother but taunting him, while he says Willie begged the cop not to kill him. "The cops were giving each other high-fives," said Felipe.

When it was all over, the boy was in the intensive care unit at Denver Health Medical Center. So far he's undergone three surgeries for a lacerated liver, broken ribs and a torn kidney.

"I'm angry, " says Felipe, "I just hope we can get this settled for Willie." [MORE] and [MORE]