Francis Pusok, the man who was captured on video being beaten by sheriff’s deputies in Apple Valley, will receive $650,000 from the county in a settlement approved Tuesday.The San Bernardino Sun reports that the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing and was approved unanimously by The County Board of Supervisors. The settlement will not affect the ongoing criminal investigation of Pusok, who claims he fled when he saw deputies because of fear from previous encounters.
The incident began when, according to The Sheriff’s department, Pusok fled from deputies in connection with a search warrant. Pusok then stole a horse and was pursued by the cops, one of which tasered him – making him fall from the horse. That is when, NBC News caught the brutal beatdown taking place:
The group surrounding the man grew up to 13 sheriff’s deputies as several appeared to kick, hit, and punch him dozens of times over a two-minute period. In the two minutes after the man was stunned with a Taser, it appeared deputies kicked him 17 times and punched him 37 times. It appeared deputies used batons four times. Thirteen blows appeared to be to the head. The allegedly stolen horse stood idly nearby.
Pusok is a convicted felon who has previously been convicted of resisting arrest, animal cruelty and attempted robbery. The deputies involved in the beating have been placed on paid leave pending criminal investigations.
