A second Latino teenager has filed a federal lawsuit alleging excessive force against a Denver police officer.
Anthony Fernandez, 14, filed the suit in June against the Denver Police Department and Officer Thomas Bogert.
Bogert was responding to a report of graffiti in Bear Creek Park in May when he confronted Fernandez, asked him if he was “Michael” and chased him and a friend in his patrol car, the lawsuit says.
The suit says Bogert got out of his patrol car and tackled Fernandez and slammed his knee into his back. Fernandez bit Bogert’s arm.
The officer then repeatedly punched the teen and struck him with his leather sap and placed him in handcuffs, the documents say.
Fernandez was taken to Denver Health Medical Center. The suit says he suffered serious injuries to his spine and head.
Internal Affairs Cmdr. John Burbach declined to investigate Bogert.
“. . . The arresting officer struck you with his fist and leather sap in an attempt to get you to release your bite of his arm,” Burbach wrote in a letter to the teen.
“The report also includes photographs of the bite mark on the officer’s arm, along with photographs of the injuries you sustained.”
Meanwhile, a tentative settlement has been reached in a lawsuit filed by another Latino teen who says Denver Officer Charles Porter beat him.
Juan Vasquez, 16, filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit against the Denver Police Department and Porter shortly after the April 18 incident.
Assistant City Attorney Thomas Bigler declined to discuss what the amount of the settlement might be. Any agreement would have to be approved by the City Council and a federal judge.
The attorney for both Fernandez and Vasquez — Douglas Romero — did not return calls seeking comment.
Porter is charged with felony first-degree assault and is due for arraignment Oct. 14 in Denver District Court.
Police say Porter jumped on Vas quez’s back several times after the officer said he saw the teen drinking a beer.
Porter was placed on unpaid leave from his job pending the outcome of the case.
Vasquez suffered broken ribs, kidney injuries and a lacerated liver.
