Lithonia Police Chief Cleared of Choking Teen Suspect

LITHONIA, GA -- Lithonia's police chief has been cleared of charges that he choked a 17-year-old suspect after a police chase last month.

Lithonia City Council voted 3-2 on Monday to clear Chief Roosevelt Smith in the incident, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Smith had been under investigation after Isaiah Harvey claimed the chief used excessive force during a Feb. 5 arrest.

According to multiple media reports, Harvey had run into some woods while police were investigating a burglary.

Once Harvey was in a police car, Smith "became enraged, leaned over in his seat and made punching movements at the face of Mr. Harvey before grabbing him by the lower chin/jaw and squeezing tightly," according to the statement Harvey filed with the city.