Former Philly Cop Charged For Pepper Spraying Protesters On I-676

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Police officer seen pepper spraying three people sitting on Interstate 676 during the June 1 protests has been charged with official oppression, simple assault, and related crimes.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Paul Nicoletti, 35, has been charged with three counts of simple assault, three counts of recklessly endangering another person, three counts of official oppression, and one count of possession of an instrument of crime.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Nicoletti turned himself in Wednesday.

On June 29, Nicoletti was suspended for 30 days with the intent to be dismissed.

Authorities said Nicoletti was seen on video spraying pepper spray in the faces of three people sitting in the middle of Instate 676 during Black Lives Matter protests on June 1.

The three people sprayed are taking legal action against the city, according to Action News.

The charges come after and investigation from the Philadelphia Police Department Internal Affairs Division.

The division then passed on information about Nicoletti’s use of force to the DA's Special Investigations Unit June 24.

After interviews with witnesses and further investigation of video, the DA's office decided to press charges.

According to the DA's office, on June 1 as protesters tried to get off Intestate 676 and away from tear gas being fired at them, one or more canisters landed in near the three complainants, who were sitting or kneeling on the highway. Each time, a protester picked up the canister or object to throw it away from the group. There is no indication that a thrown canister hit an officer or state trooper, the DA's office said.

Nicoletti was seen carrying a pepper spray can while he approached the protesters.

Video shows that Nicoletti sprayed pepper spray in the faces of two of the kneeling protesters.

Video shows him pulling down goggles one of the protesters was wearing for protection, and sprayed her again in the face.

Nicoletti proceeded to the third protester, who was sitting hunched over to protect his face with his legs crossed. Nicoletti reached down, grabbed and threw the protester onto his back, continually spraying him with OC while he was lying down and standing back up.