Clinton Teen Records Exchange With Police

Clinton Police arrested 18-year-old Austin Haughwout on Wednesday, July 22, for an alleged incident that occurred on July 19.

Haughwout has been in the news several times recently.

• Once, for creating a flying drone equipped with a handgun and posting a video of it online
• Twice, for the Federal Aviation Administration conducting an investigation
• And a third time, for an arrest on July 22, charging Haughwout with interfering with and assaulting an officer

The specifics of July 19 were not noted in a July 23 press release sent by Clinton Sgt. Jeremiah Dunn. A request for further information was not answered.

On July 23, Haughwout uploaded a video to YouTube, titled “Arrested for Failing to Comply.”

In the video, the teen is heard asking a police officer repeatedly: “Do you suspect me of a crime?”

Initially, the officer said he was trespassing on public property, as Haughwout was in the parking lot of the Clinton Public Library.

Haughwout said it was public property and the officer said it was town property.

When the teen asked officers again if they suspected him of a crime, they answered in the affirmative, saying Haughwout allegedly engaged them in pursuit.

Ultimately, Haughwout was able to leave the scene and drove to someone’s house, who greeted him with:

“So did they finally realize who they pulled over and said, “oh [expletive], let’s get out of here?”

[Editor’s Note: Since publication, the video appears to have been edited from its original version, ending prior to the visit mentioned above.] 

On Wednesday, July 22, Haughwout was contacted by police via telephone, at approximately 7:30 p.m. . He was advised to surrender himself on an outstanding arrest warrant charging him with interfering with an officer and failure to obey an officer’s signal.

Haughwout’s Account and Clinton Police Department’s Account

Haughwout wrote about the alleged incident in the description of his YouTube video, while officers released a press release with their account.

Haughwout: “As some of you may have heard, I was arrested on July 22nd for interfering with an officer, assault and a slew of other charges. On Sunday night, July 19th, I had parked outside my town’s public library to upload a homework assignment for my summer class over the free wi-fi available there. As I was leaving, I noticed an officer of Clinton Police Department pull in. After confirming with the officer that I was not currently suspected of a crime, I proceeded to attempt to leave, but the officer then came up behind me, and reactivated his emergency lights.

I inquired as to whether I was suspected of a crime, and received no response, however I had previously been told that I wasn’t. After giving a lengthy time, I proceed on my way and the officer then drove out behind me signaling that he wanted me to stop and I complied.”

Wednesday, July 22

Clinton Police:

“The officer made contact with Haughwout in the lobby of the station and then Haughwout refused to obey the arresting officer’s instructions,” Dunn said in the report. “At some point Haughwout attempted to turn and exit the station. The officer then attempted to restrain Haughwout in order to prevent his attempt to flee. As a result a physical altercation ensued between Haughwout and the officer.”

Police said other officers responded to assist in the apprehension of Haughwout.

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“Officers had to physically restrain Haughwout in the lobby of the station and eventually secured him in handcuffs,” Dunn said. “During the altercation, Haughwout physically assaulted two officers by striking and kicking at them repeatedly. The officers sustained minor injuries but did not require immediate medical attention.”

Haughwout was then brought to the cell area of the station where he started to have difficulty breathing, Dunn said.

“As a precaution, Haughwout was immediately transported via ambulance to Middlesex Memorial Shoreline Clinic in Westbrook for an evaluation,” he said. “Once being medically cleared, Haughwout was released from the hospital and returned to the Clinton Police station for processing on the criminal charges.”

Haughwout:

“Late Wednesday, July 22nd, I was informed that a warrant had been issued for my arrest and that I should report to the police station. I promptly reported to the police station and brought a GoPro camera with me.

I was told in the lobby that I could not bring it inside, and that either police would seize it, or to leave it in the lobby where they won’t accept responsibility if it is stolen. I then informed the officer that I would return it to my vehicle at which point I was thrown to the ground and had my head bashed against the wall and floor until I vomited and passed out.

I woke up 45 minutes later in the hospital stripped naked and after being released, I was booked into jail on charges of assault of an officer and interfering with an officer.”

Haughwout said if he can, he will post the video he recorded while inside the police station.

“I will post the video taken inside the police station by the GoPro, assuming that it has not been deleted or destroyed,” he said. “This is not the first time that the Clinton Police Department has harassed me and my family and I suspect that this incident is in reaction to my recent video about my multirotor project and also in response to litigation I currently have pending against them on unrelated matters.”

As of publication time, Clinton Police did not provide a statement on the video.

(Photo Credit: Clinton Police Department)