SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) – Three sheriff’s deputies involved in the televised beating of a man after he tried to escape on horseback have been charged with felony assault.
Nicholas Downey, Michael Phelps and Charles Foster each face a charge of assault by a public officer, San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos said Tuesday.
Seven other deputies who were placed on administrative leave after the April pursuit in the inland desert were not charged.
“I believe the officers charged today crossed the line under the color of authority,” Ramos said at a news conference.
A KNBC-TV helicopter followed the chase as Frances Jared Pusok fled deputies on a stolen horse. The station then televised deputies repeatedly punching and kicking Pusok as he lay on the ground.