Florida Corrections Deputy Placed On Leave After Choking Teen In Juvenile Center
Video of a recent that happened inside of a correctional juvenile center has been shared with the public. It shows the moment 17-year-old Terrance Devon Reed III is being struck and chocked by Sarasota County Deputy Neil Pizzo last week.
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According to TMZ, the altercation began after Reed — who was previously arrested and charged with contempt of court, probation violations, and cocaine possession — reportedly became “uncooperative” in a police lineup. Although the video shows Reed sitting down as the deputy is talking to him, seconds later you could see Pizzo charge at the young man, who quickly stands up but then gets chocked by Pizzo. A struggle ensues before he throws Reed to the ground, but at no point does the teenager appear to fight back.
From there, another deputy jumps in to try to wrangle Reed’s feet. That’s when Pizzo strikes the teen on the back of the head multiple times. Reed is then cuffed but not before suffering abrasions to his head, TMZ notes. After reviewing the video, Sheriff Tom Knight said he was disappointed in what he saw and Pizzo’s failure to de-escalate the situation.
Now, Knight says Pizzo has been placed the deputy on administrative duty while an internal investigation is conducted.
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