Newly obtained bodycam footage shows rough arrest in Overtown

Officer who covered bodycam during takedown resigns from department

MIAMI – A rough arrest that was captured on police bodycam footage in Miami has recently surfaced. 

The video from May 2017 shows Miami police officers chasing a robbery suspect, identified as Ravon Boyd, before they corner him near homes in Overtown.

The video shows Boyd putting his hands in the air and lowering himself to the ground. 

Miami police Sgt. Claude Adam is then seen kicking at Boyd's face. 

"I'm gonna kick you in your f------ mouth, you f------ piece of s---," an officer is heard saying in the video. 

The Miami Herald reported that when the officers filed their reports, they claimed Boyd's hands were under his body and they believed he was "reaching for a weapon." 

"My son is not an angel," Carla Boyd said. "But what happened to him wasn't supposed to happen."

Carla Boyd viewed the bodycam footage for the first time Tuesday. 

"How can they do that to someone who surrenders?" she asked.

Internal Affairs investigators cleared Adam of wrongdoing, but they found that another officer, Brian Castro, covered his body camera during the takedown. 

"It's difficult to tell if there's actual contact made," Miami police Chief Jorge Colina said. "We also have to take into account the officer's statement that his attempt was to kick something away that was in front of the subject."

Ravon Boyd's attorneys aren't buying the officer's claim.

"He was kicking a rock and it turned into my client's head. I mean, there's a difference between a rock and my client's head. A rock doesn't have eyes and a nose and skin," defense attorney Andrew Rier said. 

According to the Miami Herald, Castro resigned from the police department while the department was in the process of filing paperwork to fire him.

Miami's Civilian Investigative Panel, which is tasked with police oversight, is now examining the case.

The Miami Herald reported that Boyd's attorneys turned down a request to provide a statement to Internal Affairs regarding the incident and that the Miami-Dade state attorney's office told investigators the takedown didn't seem to warrant a criminal charge. 

But Boyd's attorneys said their client didn't speak to Internal Affairs at the time to avoid self-incrimination. They said he will speak to investigators now that the case is closed.

"He will give a statement. He's willing to be interviewed and respond to any questions that Internal Affairs has," attorney Jonathan Jordan said.

Colina said the police department will reopen the investigation into the officer's actions if Boyd is cooperative and provides a statement to investigators.  


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.