Video: Man Accuses Cranston Police Of Illegal Detention

CRANSTON, RI — Police were called to the Rhode Island National Guard this week after a security guard saw a man videotaping the building from the sidewalk.

In a video posted on September 6, the man who did the filming claimed he was conducting a "First Amendment Audit" of the police.

After refusing to identify himself, the man was detained and charged with obstruction of justice. Arrest records identified the man as Anselmo Morales-Torres, 32 of Providence.

When approached by the police officer, the man said he was "taping the facility." When the police officer asked why, he responded, "For my own purposes."

"We got a call for a suspicious person okay?" the police officer said. "This is kind of suspicious behavior."

The police officer then asked Morales-Torres to identify himself, which he refused to do. She said building security had seen him taping out front, and wondered who he is and whether he intends to hurt anyone.

"Let's not make a bigger thing than we have to," the Cranston Police officer told the Morales-Torres.

The Cranston Police Department did not immediately return Patch's request for comment.

Morales-Torres identified himself only as an investigative journalist. Both he and the police officer can be seen on film telling each other they need to review the laws. Morales-Torres asked for the police officer's supervisor.

"If you choose not to identify yourself, because now I've asked you about four times already, then this is going to rise to the level of obstruction of justice," the officer said.

He still refused saying he had the right to film a public building on a public sidewalk. More police arrived and detained the Morales-Torres, who refused to put the camera down.

"I do not consent to any seizures or searches...," Morales-Torres said to the police officers. "This is an illegal detention because I am a private citizen gathering content for a story."

Morales-Torres said he would file a formal complaint against the officers. The video ends with videographer seated on the ground in front of the officer.

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