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Grandmother who was tased by deputy to sue Manatee County Sheriff's Office

Posted at 10:50 PM, Jan 02, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-03 07:26:34-05

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A local sheriff's office is now on notice that it could soon be facing a lawsuit.

A video released earlier in the week showed a Manatee County deputy using a Taser on a 70-year-old woman. His "use of force" in the incident is now under investigation.

On Thursday, attorney Ben Crump filed what is called an "intent to sue" letter. They filed it on behalf of Barbara Pinkney, who was tased multiple times at her home over the weekend.

Below is the full letter released to the public:

RELATED: Manatee County Sheriff's Office investigating incident where deputy used Taser on 70-year-old woman

The incident happened at a Bradenton home on December 26.

Deputies knocked on Barbara Pinkney’s door with an arrest warrant for her grandson Tevin Turner, who they believed was inside. Pinkney told officers he wasn’t at the home, but deputies believed otherwise.

Under Florida law, deputies are allowed to enter a home with an arrest warrant if they have reason to believe a suspect is inside.

“We know that a Taser is a temporary shock, and you know, trying to wrestle with a female is not always the best course of action,” said Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells earlier in the week.

Jason Riley, the deputy who used the Taser, claims Pinkney pushed him while he tried to get in the home.

This isn't the first time Deputy Riley is being investigated for using a Taser on an elderly person. Back in 2008, Deputy Jason Riley used a Taser on a 75-year-old man while attempting to arrest the man’s grandson who Deputy Riley believed was in the home.