Kern County Sheriffs Deputies Arrest Man for Flipping Them Off; Seize His Puppies

Cop Block – by Brian Sumner

Jose Garcia submitted a recount of his recent arrest for flipping off a police officer and telling him “fuck you.” To make matters worse, after being released from jail he was informed that he had to pay a $960 boarding fee if he wanted to get his puppy dogs back from animal control or relinquish his rights to the animals, which costs $120. WTF?  

January 26, 2017
Deputy Sheriffs Jose Perez and Jesus Cabral
Kern County Sheriff Department

At 11 o’clock in the morning I was walking down the sidewalk rolling a wagon full of puppies behind me on the 14oo block of flower street, when I noticed a guy that I knew from high school sitting on a porch with another guy and his little brother. I failed to initially notice Deputy Cabral standing next to them. I stopped on the sidewalk and said hello. The officer standing with them yelled at me to keep walking to which I replied I was on public sidewalk and within my rights. Cabral grew angry and shouted “kick rocks, get the fuck outta here.” I told him “I’m on public property fuck you” Flipping him the bird, I continued walking down the sidewalk when a second sheriff’s deputy (Jose Perez) pulled over and got out of his car.

Officer Cabral told Perez “don’t let him leave, stop him!” I was then detained by Perez who refused to relinquish his badge number or answer my inquiries as to why I was being detained, what crime I had committed, and whether or not I was free to go. I refused to give my name in response to their refusal to give me their badge numbers prompting them to call animal control to seize my puppies while I was taken to jail where I was charged with delaying an arrest.

Upon release, I noticed the officer lied on his report claiming I had approached the group which caused him to turn his attention to me and away from the group, when in fact an eight foot barrier and a distance of 15-20 feet separated myself and the officer at all times rendering me physically incapable of approaching them. He also claimed I was standing still cursing at him when Perez arrived and stopped me, but I was already walking away when Perez arrived and was instructed by Cabral to stop me. The day after I got out of jail, I attempted to reclaim my six puppies from the animal shelter, but was informed I was required to pay 960 dollars to regain my puppies or pay 120 dollars to relinquish my rights to them. Unable to pay either fee the cost of board and feeding will grow exponentially each passing day. I am currently unable to find a lawyer that will take my case due to the fact that I was not beaten by police.

Every day people are victimized by an institution which claims, with a straight face, to protect them. In Jose’s case an officer disliked the words he chose and decided to use institutional violence against him in order to enact revenge on him for disrespecting his perceived authority. These daily interactions are often overlooked when it comes to larger picture of police brutality, but when it comes to the general opinion of police this daily harassment lays a foundation for escalating police violence in our communities.

Jose Perez was grazed in the ear with a bullet in 2015. However, if he continues to harass and abuse the citizens he claims to protect it might now be too long before someone else takes a shot at his head. People will only put up with so much for so long. There is a tipping point and the police are increasingly pushing people towards the precipice with their violent abuse and blatant disregard for the law.

Remember, constant police harassment ended with Eric Garner being choked to death for selling loose cigarettes.

Cop Block