Incident
| Date | May 10, 2020 |
| Department | Buffalo Police Department |
| Officers | Ronald (Ronnie/buddy) J. Ammerman , Michael C. Scheu Ii , Byron C. Lockwood , John M. Davidson , Russell R. Sullivan |
| License Plates | NY C-810 |
| Address | Buffalo, NY |
Incident Description
On May 10th 2020, officers Ronald Ammerman and Michael Scheu pulled over Quentin Suttles, then 30, for driving the wrong way down a one-way street. The officers, claiming they smelled marijuana, asked Suttles to exit his vehicle. He complied.
When the officers began to frisk him, Suttles complied and the officers responded with violence, as captured by bystanders in a video subsequently posted on social media. The video shows Ammerman repeatedly punching Suttles in the face, while he and another officer had him pinned to the ground.
Quentin Suttles sustained serious injuries.
Outcome
The Monroe County District Attorney, appointed as special prosecutor to investigate the incident, declined to press charges. Suttles sued in federal court in August 2021 — one of two civil rights actions Suttles has pending against the city and police.
Links
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Verified Notice of Claim
Quentin Suttles V City of Buffalo, Buffalo Police Department, Byron Lockwood, Ronald J. Ammerman, and Michael Scheu - State of New York Supreme Court: County of Erie
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Special Prosecutor Appointed to Investigate Buffalo Police Officers During Arrest of Quentin Suttles
Due to a conflict of interest, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office requested that the Court appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the actions of Buffalo Police Officers Ronald Ammerman and Michael Scheu during the arrest of Quentin C. Suttles on May 10, 2020. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting Suttles who is the defendant in multiple pending criminal matters. In addition, an Assistant District Attorney with the Erie County DA’s Office is a potential witness. - The Erie County District Attorney's Office
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DA opens investigation into violent arrest caught on video
The Erie County District Attorney's Office said Wednesday that it is opening an investigation into Sunday's violent arrest of a 30-year-old Buffalo man. - Maki Becker of The Buffalo News
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Key moments in a violent arrest: 'I don't have him in a chokehold'
The chaotic five minutes that followed the traffic stop ended with one of the officers punching Suttles in the face and head while he was pinned on the ground, fracturing his shoulder blade and orbital bone. - Mary B. Pasciak of The Buffalo News
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2 Buffalo Police officers will not be charged in Quentin Suttles case
The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Friday that the case against officers Ronald Ammerman and Michael Scheu will not go forward. - Claudine Ewing, WGRZ Staff
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Quentin Suttles, lawyer say he was a victim of police brutality, sexual assault
A Buffalo man says police went too far when he was arrested last year on Mother's Day. A graphic video was captured showing Quentin Suttles being repeatedly punched. - Claudine Ewing of WGRZ
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Suttles v. City of Buffalo (1:24-cv-00098)
Defendants illegally stopped and searched Suttles while he was a passenger in a vehicle traveling in Buffalo. Defendants, lacking probable cause for the stop or seizure forcibly removed Suttles form the rear of the vehicle, attacked, and arrested him for criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. As a result of Defendants’ unlawful actions, Suttles was sentenced to a 4 years’ incarceration followed by 5 years of post-release supervision. - CourtListener | District Court, W.D. New York
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Attorney General knocks Buffalo for cop misconduct
AG faults actions of Officer Ronald Ammerman, whose history includes citizen complaints and federal and state lawsuits. He's still on the force, pulling down more than $135,000 last year. - Geoff Kelly | Investigative Post
Videos
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Quentin Suttles arrest by Buffalo police
CW: Video of excessive force arrest - Bodycam/bystander footage