San Bernadino County, CA--

It starts off with this guy, Francis Pusok, being served with a warrant in Apple Valley, CA. Now warrants are typically served by law enforcement. No mention is given as to the nature of the warrant. What is said is that Pusok has a history with the law. So he knows what a knock on the door by somebody with a badge means and it isn't good as far as he is concerned. So he goes out the back door. That's the first mistake. 

Second mistake-leading SBSD on a chase through Apple Valley and the surrounding area. That tends to get deputies cranky.

Third mistake-left the car at the Bowen Ranch near Deep Creek Hot Springs area and ran. A witness at the ranch said Pusok just walked up to a saddled horse, untied it, led it off a little ways, mounted, and rode off-all while the owner was yelling "get away from my horse!" The owner gave chase to no avail. Pusok rode up an embankment-fell off-remounted, and took off for the desert country on the horse. That was mistakes four and five. 

News helicopters had been in the area for another reason, but they broke off when they heard about the developments. So the 'eye in the sky' was watching 2.5 hours later when a deputy got close enough to Tase Pusok off the horse. Video documents what happens-Pusok lies on the ground face down spread eagled. As the deputies approach, one punches him in the head while another kicks him in the crotch. More deputies arrive and Pusock disappears under the uniforms. 

Accounts are now conflicting, but what is known is that 10 deputies were suspended pending investigation of the incident; the FBI is doing the investigation because of the civil rights issue; the sheriff of the San Bernandino County department publicly went on the air immediately to state that he was not going to stand for that kind of behavior; Pusok was charged with a number of offenses, but was NOT charged with horse theft (the owner declined); and Pusok has filed civil suits against the SBSD alledging various abuses during and after his arrest. 

NOTE: The horse was injured, but not badly during the chase-just scrapes and cuts to the lower legs. Word is that he is healing nicely. 

http://www.sbsun.com/social-affairs/20150417/pusok-says-fear-of-san-bernardino-county-deputies-led-him-to-flee

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/10/us/california-san-bernardino-police-beating/

http://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20150410/fbi-investigating-apparent-beating-by-deputies-of-alleged-horse-thief-francis-jared-pusok

http://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20150416/federal-civil-rights-lawsuit-planned-following-suspects-beating-by-san-bernardino-deputies