(Newswire.net — February 19, 2015) — When people are arrested, there are often claims they were the victims of the police brutality, especially if they have the bruises to prove it. Sometimes, they even sue the police and receive substantial compensation.
This guy found himself behind bars and got the idea that accusing detectives of beating him would lead to a quick release. He started hitting himself in the face with his fists to make believable bruises.
The police, however, had a better idea. They had installed video cameras to monitor and record activities in the cell block.
Aleksander R. Tomaszewski claimed detectives beat him during a Jan. 9 interview, said Sgt. Carrie Carver, a sheriff’s office representative. Lane County Sheriff’s office then released the video that shows Tomaszewski injuring himself while he was in a holding cell.
The four-minute video shows Tomaszewski throwing punches and hitting both his eyes. After several punches, he sat down, relaxed a minute, and then resumed punching him self until he though it would be enough to sustain the claim.
After Tomaszewski was confronted about the recording, he told detectives that he thought the complaint would get him released, Carver said.
The only claim Tomaszewski can make is that for four minutes, no one showed up to prevent him from hurting himself. Officers probably realized he wouldn’t be seriously hurt and just leaned back and enjoyed the show.
According to court records, the 33-year-old pleaded guilty to two charges: attempted coercion and filing a false report. Each charge carried a 20-day prison sentence, but Tomaszewski was given credit for time served and released Feb. 10, Carver said.
He was also fined $600 and ordered to serve three years’ probation.