South Carolina City Settles Lawsuit for $500,000 Over False Arrest that Sparked 2021 Protests

The city of Rock Hill, South Carolina, has agreed to pay a $500,000 settlement to a man who filed a lawsuit after local police falsely arrested him, an incident that led to days of widespread protests in June last year.

A False Arrest Leads to Unrest

Travis Price, father of three and local family man, found himself at the center of the controversy when he arrived on scene where his brother was being arrested following a traffic stop. Following the incident, representatives of the Rock Hill Police Department claimed that Price bumped into an officer and exhibited belligerent behavior.

However, a video later posted on social media painted a considerably different picture. In the footage, an officer is seen aggressively clutching Price by his chest and forcing him into a nearby propane tank. The officer then pins Price to the ground, shouting at him to fight back.

Outrage and Legal Action Ensue

Shorty after the video surfaced online, it provoked significant outrage from the community, resulting in several days of ongoing protests. The city of approximately 75,000, situated just south of Charlotte, North Carolina, turned into a heated zone. Demonstrations ranged from organized marches to exchanges of firecrackers and bottles, with nearly a dozen arrested amidst the turmoil. Officers in riot gear eventually stood guard outside the local police station as preventive reinforcements.

Subsequently, Price filed a lawsuit against the city, accusing law enforcement of defaming him and smearing his reputation. His attorney, Justin Bamberg, asserted that his client sought legal redress to prevent future instances where police could tarnish the reputation of innocent citizens. “Mr. Price is a father of three and a family man whose reputation was unduly impacted […]. He was innocent,” Bamberg said.

Case Conclusion and Aftermath

After negotiations, city officials opted to settle the case out of court, agreeing to pay Price a sum of $500,000. Following public outcry, Officer Jonathan Moreno was discharged from his duties. He later extended an apology to Price, but was subsequently absolved from misdemeanor battery and assault charges. Consequently, Moreno was removed as a defendant from Price’s lawsuit upon the agreement of the settlement.

This case settlement marks a significant moment for the city of Rock Hill and its residents, shedding light on police enforcement policies and their societal repercussions. It sends a clear message about the importance of police transparency and due process, while offering a degree of closure to a family and community whose social fabric was tested in the face of adversity.