The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs is investigating a complaint against an officer who allegedly racially profiled a Black veteran during a traffic stop.
Investigators found that the officer’s behavior was inconsistent with the conduct expected of an officer but that he did not stop the Navy vet because of his race.
A review of the officer’s history revealed numerous community complaints, indicating a pattern of misconduct over the years. Still, very little punitive action was taken against the officer— and as a result, the veteran has secured a lawyer and thinking about suing the department.
JSO officer Justin Peppers was under scrutiny after pulling over Navy veteran Braxton Smith on Nov. 24, 2022.
Related: ‘These Acts are Egregious’: Mississippi Cops Accused of Torturing Two Black Men Before Shooting One In the Mouth In Bizarre Raid Fired After $400M Excessive Force Lawsuit Filed
Smith alleged that Peppers engaged in bias-based policing, but his allegations were never substantiated. However, over his career, Peppers has received 14 complaints and has a history of infractions within JSO, according to sources.
On the night of the incident, Smith says Peppers used excessive force during their interaction, which included throwing the sailor to the ground, handcuffing him, performing an illegal search, and detaining him for half an hour.
Body-camera captured the incident. Click here to watch the video.
Smith was later released without charges only after task force members came to the scene of the stop to support Peppers.
During the 30 minutes, the disabled Florida veteran was asked about drugs and the legal firearm he had in the trunk of his car. He also threatened to charge Smith with felony fleeing.
“I was scared from beginning to end,” Smith said in an interview with News4JAX.
He also said he felt humiliated by the stop and what he believed was an illegal search.
“I’m a veteran,…
Read the full article here