Officer 'No Longer Employed' After Stomping Man's Phone In Video

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A controversial video showing an off-duty Sheridan Police Department reserve officer apparently stomping on an arrestee's phone has not only made its way across social media, but has led to the officer's unemployment. WTHR reported officer James Reynolds is no longer employed with the Sheridan Police Department after a video showed him confronting a man who refused to identify himself at the Creekside at Meridian Hills apartment complex.

In the video, Reynolds, who WTHR said also owns a security company, asks 21-year-old Jaquon Dean to identify himself. In the video, Dean can be heard refusing to do so.

Officers had been on the lookout for a burglary suspect in the area who fit Dean's description, Southport Police Chief Thomas Vaughn told WTHR. However, because Reynolds doesn't have arrest powers in Marion County and runs his company out of Plainfield, Indiana, he called for backup from officers over at the Southport Police Department, according to the news report. Some of the Southport officers work part-time for Reynolds' company, WTHR said.

According to WRTV, Reynolds was terminated from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in 2013.

When Southport officers arrived, Dean, who WRTV said is a resident of the apartment complex, asked the police for identification. The video shows Southport Police Department Sgt. Robert Patterson identifying himself to Dean before arresting him.

The video (above) also shows Reynolds looking at Dean's phone on the ground before stepping on it.

Unlike Patterson, Vaughn said Reynolds has never worked for Southport Police Department, according to WTHR.

Dean's charges include resisting law enforcement and refusal to identify. Dean's girlfriend was also arrested for refusing to identify, resisting and battery on a public safety official for reportedly kicking an officer, according to police.

WTHR said Southport Police Department is conducting its own investigation.

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