By Police1 Staff
ATLANTIC CITY — The Atlantic City Police Department is facing a lawsuit that claims officers, including a police K-9 and its handler, used excessive force when arresting a man after he was kicked out of a casino.
David Connor Castellani, 20, was kicked out of the casino June 15 for unknown reasons, according to NBC 40, when he got into an altercation with police.
Officer Sterling Wheaten and his K-9 partner arrived on scene to assist in the arrest, allegedly causing severe injuries to Castellani. Security cameras captured most of the altercation and some of the arrest.
The suspect was charged with aggravated assault on an officer, attempt to commit harm to a police dog, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest, according to the report. His family says they expect the charges to be dropped, and they are also seeking monetary damages and changes in how officers police the city.
The Atlantic City police and Officer Wheaten’s lawyer would not comment on the incident, pending the investigation.