Guam Police Department officers identified in police brutality lawsuit
Guam police officers Kendall Diaz and Aren Fabila are among those identified in a new federal lawsuit filed in the District Court of Guam.
Sixty-three-year old Jose Develles is taking legal action against them and other unnamed officers alleging police brutality.
The new lawsuit was filed four months after Develles initially filed the case in federal court.
He's seeking damages for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, liability; along with negligent hiring, retention, supervision and training.
The case first unfolded in March 2023.
The retiree, who is noted in court documents as lacking physical strength to resist physical harm, was pulled over during a traffic stop in Tamuning.
Officers told him he was speeding but when Develles asked to see the officer's radar to verify if he was, he contends other officers surrounded his car.
He alleges Diaz, Fabila and another unnamed cop violently pulled him out of his car causing him to fall to the ground.
Develles alleged the officer punched the back of his head and hit his eye, and caused injuries to his back and ribs.
Photos capturing his injuries were included in the lawsuit.
He was taken to the hospital to be treated before police took him to the precinct to be photographed and fingerprinted.
Develles also contends $2,000 went missing from his wallet and his phone was cracked after the alleged attack.
He filed a complaint with GPD’s Internal Affairs and is seeking $100,000 in damages along with the money that went missing from his wallet.
The government has since called for the lawsuit to be dismissed.
A summons has been issued for Fabila.
The Government of Guam has until Feb. 25 to file its response.