U.S. Attorney's Office reviewing information from the arrest of homeless Orlando man last August

Terre Johnson was arrested by OPD Officer James Wilson

ORLANDO, Fla. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirms it's conducting an investigation into the Orlando Police Department to make sure the civil rights of Terre Johnson were not violated last year during his arrest.

Johnson, a homeless man living in the city's Parramore area, was taken into custody by Orlando police Officer James Wilson after a bloody battle in the streets.

The chairman of the Orlando Police Citizens' Review Board, Henry Lim, told News 6 he asked the U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate, saying he fears the public is losing confidence in the Orlando Police Department.

"The basic issue that Mr. Johnson was never told to stop, or that he was under arrest before getting attacked by Officer Wilson, has not been adequately addressed by our local authorities," Lim said. "The possible civil rights violations prompted me to refer this matter to the U.S. Attorney's Office."

Lim's comments come after the board recently rejected the findings of an internal investigation that cleared Wilson of use of force violations.

Cellphone video obtained by News 6 shows Wilson straddling Johnson and punching him in the face, while Johnson fights back.

In a letter addressed to Orlando Police Chief John Mina, Lim explains why the board did not agree with the investigative findings, which urged his board to exonerate Wilson.

Lim points out Wilson did not tell Johnson he was being arrested before tackling him in the middle of Ossie Street on August 26, 2015.

Lim also said board members felt Wilson taunted Johnson into a fight.

In a copy of the internal investigation obtained by News 6, Wilson was asked if his interaction with Wilson leading up to the fight was within police department policies.

Lim also points out Wilson was wearing someone else's name badge when the fight with Johnson happened and claims that was never investigated.

Wilson replied, "Per policy, probably not."

In his letter dated April 13, Lim told Mina, "As a Board, we fear erosion of confidence from the public towards OPD as it sets us on a path potentially causing harm to the city of Orlando."

Johnson faced battery on a law enforcement officer charges, which were later dropped.


About the Author:

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.