The Humboldt State University Police Department announced Monday afternoon that it is investigating the circ*mstances of a Saturday evening arrest of a woman in Arcata after several videos were posted on Facebook showing an officer forcefully pulling the woman from the car and an ensuing physical altercation involving several officers.
The woman, 20-year-old Samantha Alonso Luna, posted several videos on Facebook on Sunday showing herself in the front seat of a vehicle and speaking with a female UPD officer.
This reporter’s attempts to contact both Alonso Luna for more information and comment were unsuccessful.
University Police Chief Donn Peterson confirmed Monday evening the arresting officer was UPD Sgt. Janelle Jackson, who has been with the department for 12 years. Neither she, nor UPD officer Louis Altic who assisted in the arrest, were wearing police body cameras, Peterson said.
“They were working in plainclothes,” he said. “Officers working in plainclothes typically do not wear body cameras.”
The conversation occurred after a juvenile passenger in the same car was arrested around 8:20 p.m. — several hours after the Oyster Festival had ended — on suspicion of public intoxication, providing false identification to a peace officer and battery on a peace officer after they were seen hanging out of the sunroof, according to the University Police Department.
The videos show portions of subsequent heated conversation between Jackson and Alonso Luna.
The first minute-and-a-half video posted by Alonso Luna is shot from the back seat and shows Alonso Luna asking Jackson what information they can have. Jackson says that their friend is going to the county jail. Alonso Luna then asks whether there is any other information.
“What other information do you think you need?” Jackson responds.
“Why are you being so rude?” Alonso Luna says in the video.
“You’re the one that is being rude,” Jackson says in response.
The two begin talking over each other until Jackson says to Alonso Luna: “Seriously, you’re about two seconds from going to jail for public intoxication. Do you not understand that? So I would stop talking if I were you. I just explained to you why she’s going to jail and where she’s going. So what other information would you like from me?”
A second video shows Jackson accusing Alonso Luna of providing false identification.
“You said ‘Luna,’ what’s on your license?” Jackson says in the video.
“ ‘Alonso Luna’ — ” Alonso Luna replies.
“Then that’s what you should have told me,” Jackson says.
The video shows Alonso Luna saying that she goes by her second surname. In the exchange that follows, Jackson says, “You know what? Get out of the car,” and opens the passenger side door.
“No, I’m not getting out of the car,” Alonso Luna said. “No, I’m not — ”
The video then shows Jackson attempting to place Alonso Luna under arrest by pulling her forcefully from the car. A struggle ensues.
Several of the following videos show Alonso Luna physically resisting the five officers attempting to arrest her, with some officers repeatedly demanding Alonso Luna let go of Jackson’s hair.
“I’m going to pepper spray y—,” one officer is heard saying before the video cuts off.
In another video, a fellow officer can be seen cutting Jackson’s hair loose after repeated requests.
“Thank you,” Jackson says.
Alonso Luna was booked into the county jail Saturday evening on suspicion of public intoxication, battery on a peace officer and providing false identification to a police officer.
“We take underage drinking very seriously,” Peterson said in a Monday afternoon statement. “The stop and what occurred afterwards will be thoroughly reviewed by the District Attorney.”
Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming said her office has not received the police report or any evidence from the recent incident.
“We make charging decisions after receiving complete investigations that include police reports that outline the facts and cover witness interviews, and also include any physical evidence collected (such as video or audio recordings),” Fleming wrote in an email to the Times-Standard. “Samantha Alonso Luna has been released from the jail and given an arraignment date of July 16, 2018. I anticipate that we will receive all relevant materials with sufficient time to make a charging decision by that date.”
A Humboldt State University news release issued this afternoon says all video relating to the arrest is being reviewed and there will be “transparent and independent review of the arrest as well as a full internal review.”
“I have seen the video of this arrest, and I have confidence that Chief Peterson and our University Police will conduct a thorough review,” HSU President Lisa Rossbacher said in a statement. “The external review will give our university community the opportunity to understand this incident in a full and fair light.”
Peterson said Jackson and Altic both have received de-escalation training.
“Officers are taught the value and importance of de-escalation,” he said in an email sent to the Times-Standard. “The training is put on by Humboldt County and is facilitated by social workers, clinicians, and professionals who work with people who often have encounters with the police. We’re very familiar with de-escalation and use it daily. The training is detailed, rigorous, and something we’re very grateful to participate in.”
He added that the training includes situation in which individuals who might be intoxicated.
Alonso Luna is not an HSU student, according to the university.
Jail records show Alonso Luna was released from jail just before 1 a.m. Sunday.
Will Houston can be reached at 707-441-0504.
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