ROCK HILL, S.C. — One of the brothers who was arrested during a struggle with police on June 23 in Rock Hill appeared in court Friday morning.
Ricky Price and his brother Travis Price have been at the center of the controversial arrest after a video of the incident went viral on social media. Some in the community said that authorities used excessive force, and protesters took to the streets for several days following the arrests.
[PAST COVERAGE: SLED to investigate after arrest of 2 brothers in Rock Hill sparks protests]
Ricky Price was pulled over at a gas station on Willowbrook Avenue. After the brothers were arrested, authorities found a loaded 9 mm handgun in Ricky Price’s Ford Mustang, as well as crack cocaine, two bags of marijuana and $750 in cash, according to warrants.
York County Officer Jonathon Soto testified Friday that he was the officer whom Ricky Price punched, kicked and pulled his shirt, which led to the resisting arrest charge.
Soto called Ricky Price a known drug dealer whom police were familiar with him. Warrants said Price was out on bond on three pending charges of selling crack at the time he was arrested.
Police said they took one of Ricky Price’s hands out of handcuffs so he could remove jewelry and give it to his brother, Travis Price, who had walked up to the scene. That’s when officers said Ricky Price started to resist.
“(Ricky) Price became aggressive and began to yell at Special Agent Justice, telling him several times, ‘I’ll beat your (expletive),” Soto said.
Soto said officers tried to subdue the suspect by punching him repeatedly in the thigh and face.
“Sgt. Watson delivered a strike to Ricky Price’s face, striking him in the nose,” Soto said. “This caused Ricky (Travis) to stop actively resisting officers. Ricky became compliant, was placed into handcuffs and all force was ceased.”
Other officers struggled with Travis Price during the incident.
Travis Price tried to interfere during his brother’s arrest and get Ricky Price’s things but was told to stay back by officers, police said. Police said Travis Price bumped officers with his body and yelled at them. He was also arrested.
Travis Price was charged with hindering police.
SLED is the lead agency in the investigation.
The four Rock Hill police officers involved were:
- Sgt. Shaun Watson (On administrative leave)
- Officer Matthew Palmer
- Officer Jonathan Moreno (On administrative leave)
- Investigator Jonathan Soto
Earlier this week, Travis Price’s attorneys said video recently released showed him being calm and following orders. The attorneys do not think he should have been arrested.
Body cam video will be released by the end of next week.
(WATCH BELOW: 8 people arrested during 2nd night of protests in Rock Hill over arrest of 2 brothers)
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