Man files suit against OCSO over beating caught on tape; Ex-deputy talks to WFTV

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — WFTV obtained new information about a federal lawsuit against the Orange County sheriff and two deputies that was filed by a man claiming his constitutional rights were violated during an arrest in 2009.

In the complaint, Trey Brown, who was 16 years old at the time of the incident, said Sheriff Jerry Demings failed to supervise and properly train deputy sheriffs to prevent the assault of the minor.

Brown, and two other teens, were pursued on foot by Deputies Courdney Ramsaroop and Hector Avilez near Texas Avenue and American Boulevard. The chase was in connection with a battery incident, officials said.

According to the complaint, Brown "was threatened at gunpoint by Ramsaroop by having a firearm placed to his head and neck and threatened to be shot and killed."

Brown also claims both deputies punched him multiple times, and the lawsuit states Ramsaroop also struck Brown in the groin with a closed fist. Brown said the violent beating happened while he was in handcuffs.

In video obtained from the Sheriff's Office in 2010, Avilez is seen stomping on Brown's back. He later said it was an accident.

Brown said in the suit that he has "suffered bodily injury, humiliation, embarrassment, mental anguish, oppression, pain and suffering, inconvenience, loss of dignity and loss of liberty" as a result of the defendants' actions in 2009. He demands judgment by jury trial.

WFTV's Nancy Alvarez talked to Ramsaroop. He said he's innocent and devastated that this cost him his job. He claims Brown victim is making the whole thing up.

"Attack is a really harsh word. Neither one of us attacked him. We sign up on this job to protect people, to stop criminals from hurting other people," said Ramsaroop.

The State Attorney's Office charged Ramsaroop with misdemeanor battery in 2010. He was given a year of probation and community service as part of a plea deal and eventually resigned from the department. Ramsaroop has since left central Florida, but he maintains his innocence. He insists he never hurt Brown and isn't even in the video.

Ramsaroop is an Iraqi war veteran and said he always dreamed of being a police officer. He said these accusations changed his life.

"I loved my job and I loved what I did. ... It was a huge disappointment to my family, my friends and my son. And I lost a lot because of this," said Ramsaroop.
Avilez and three other deputies were reprimanded internally.

A spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Office issued a statement, saying the case is being handled by its attorneys, and the agency will not be discussing the lawsuit as it works through the system.

WFTV