MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. (WSIL) -- McCracken County Sheriff Matt Carter went to social media Thursday to defend detectives in a drug arrest last month that was taped by a bystander and now circulating on Facebook.
The 10-second video posted by Misty Lynnette Williams on a ACLU of Kentucky Smart Justice Advocates Facebook page shows a deputy arresting a man identified by sheriff's office news release as Luther Robinson.
Williams complains the deputy mistreated Robinson, who she calls her husband, being Tasered in the front seat of the car but the video does not make that out.
The video allegedly shows a man standing in front of an open car door and the audio has a racial slur and cussing from the deputy as well as screaming from Robinson.
Williams nor her attorney could be reached for comment.
Williams's post complains Robinson was Tasered while in a seatbelt.
"One cop saying sit still other get out. The officer tasing him says don't move (racial slur) [sic] I'm not going to tell u again. Then you hear my husband screaming," Williams post states.
Williams describes how he was treated on scene from EMTs and body searched nude in the street.
"Officer that done the tasing and n word calling and pulled cords out demanded other officer to body search," Williams posted.
The March 19th incident was detailed by the Sheriff on the McCracken County Sheriff's Office Facebook page Thursday evening after the video circulated.
It took place in the area of 8th and Park Avenue in Paducah at 6:31 p.m. on that day.
Sheriff Carter said within 2 hours of the incident an internal investigation was started and ultimately showed detectives acted within policy.
"That investigation included but was not limited to interviewing both Robinson and (Demario) Daniels and at no time were there allegations of anything being said that was inappropriate," Carter said. "The following week, a compliant was made to the sheriff’s office at which time it was alleged that excessive force was use against Daniels during his arrest. Upon the conclusion of that allegation, the complainant admitted that they had been provided wrong information and apologized."
The sheriff said the deputies' own bodycams were not flipped on during the incident, "due to the exigency and the quickly changing dynamics. Unfortunately the bodycam does not begin until later during the encounter."
Carter does not detail what any footage recovered actually shows.
Carter says he scrutinized the 10-second bystander video and denies a racial slur was used by the detective.
"Numerous deputies including myself listened to the video numerous times and at no point could a racial slur be overheard," Carter wrote. "A member of the media directed me to the exact point that the racial slur was alleged to be heard and unequivocally the voice that is yelling at that moment was Robinson. It remains clear that even at that moment no racial slur was made by anyone. The excitement heard in the video is at the result of Robinson refusing to comply with a deputy’s lawful direction while he was attempting to destroy and conceal evidence, what was later identified as an ounce of Methamphetamine that he had agreed to sell undercover detectives."
Carter discredits Robinson by detailing his series of drug arrests and criminal record.
"Every member of the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office is held to a high standard and ANY type of racial profiling, discrimination, or inappropriate conduct is strictly forbidden," Carter said. "This type of video that clearly has very poor quality can easily be used to create division and turmoil. Numerous other individuals that I trust have reviewed this video at my request in a constructive manner and deny ever hearing any racial slur being used.
Drug arrest detail released
The Sheriff's post also details how the drug arrest with Daniels and Robinson went down in the March 19 incident.
This type of video not only can cause dissention if allowed but also is often used to cause law enforcement to deter our efforts to hold the criminal element responsible which ensures the safety of our citizens. We will continue to vigorously enforce the laws of the commonwealth with compassion and dignity to ensure the wellbeing and best interest of our many law-abiding citizens."
"The driver of the vehicle, Luther Robinson, had arranged to sell methamphetamine to detectives on the parking lot," the press release said.
"As detectives approached the vehicle, a male ran from the vehicle. Captain of the Drug Division Jesse Riddle caught the male after he ran through the building, knocking a female to the ground in the process. Once Captain Riddle caught the male, he began resisting and fighting for a brief period until handcuffed. He was later identified as Demario Daniels of Paducah, KY. 31-year-old Daniels had escaped from the Class “D� facility at the McCracken County Jail in April 2020. The Class “D� facility is for low risk offenders. It was also determined that Daniels had a loaded handgun on his person during this incident. After Daniels was taken into the McCracken County Jail, he attempted to use another person’s name to avoid detection. Jail employees identified him as Demario Daniels. Daniels was charged with Fleeing or Evading police 2nd Degree, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct 2nd Degree, Wanton Endangerment 2nd degree, Theft of Identity, and multiple warrants including Escape 2nd Degree and Possession of Handgun by Convicted Felon.
While Daniels was fleeing, the driver of the vehicle, 30-year-old Luther Robinson was also taken into custody after he attempted to conceal evidence in his pants. When detectives attempted to take Robinson into custody, he kept shoving his hands in his pockets and between seats. He would not show detectives his hands, as he was being directed to do. These are known locations to often conceal dangerous instruments or deadly weapons and one deputy deployed his Taser, striking Robinson in the side. During a search of Robinson, approximately 10 grams of an unknown substance was located in his pants pocket. Approximately 12 ounces of marijuana was also located inside the vehicle. Once at the McCracken County Jail, it was also discovered that Robinson had placed loose methamphetamine in his pants and had tried to destroy some of it in the backseat of a deputy’s cruiser. Detectives recovered the methamphetamine at the jail as well. In all, approximately one ounce of methamphetamine was recovered from Robinson. Detectives also seized approximately $10,000 from Robinson, believed to be proceeds from illegal drug sales. Throughout the incident, Robinson screamed profanities and caused a scene and alarm. Robinson was ultimately charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine 2nd or Subsequent Offense Over 2 Grams, Trafficking Marijuana Over 8 Ounces 2nd or Subsequent Offense, Tampering With Physical Evidence, Promoting Contraband 1st Degree, Disorderly Conduct 2nd Degree, Menacing, and Resisting Arrest.
A passenger present during this encounter who was compliant and not found to have committed any criminal offenses was released from the scene."
Public comments on the Sheriff's post were turned off Thursday.
