A young man, just 18 years old and a native of West Palm Beach, found himself violently arrested by Florida Highway Patrol and Border Patrol agents while en route to a landscaping job with his mother and two undocumented coworkers. The incident, recorded on the teenager’s cellphone, reveals disturbing scenes of mistreatment, abuse of authority, and mockery by the involved officers.
The arrest took place on May 2nd, as Kenny Laynez, his mother, and his associates traveled in their truck, only to be stopped by the authorities. Despite adhering to the speed limit and possessing all necessary vehicle documentation, an officer approached, requested papers, and subsequently claimed that the mother's license was suspended.
One of the agents inquired in Spanish, "Who here is illegal? Whoever takes the longest to respond will face more charges and spend more time in jail." Trembling, one worker named Esdras admitted, "I... I am here illegally." They were immediately ordered to open the vehicle's door. A startled Laynez protested, "Wait, wait. You have no right to do that." To which an officer, laughing, retorted, "I have no right?" and forcefully opened the door.
The footage captures officers forcibly removing the vehicle's occupants. One individual was pulled by the hair, while Esdras was grabbed by the neck and dragged out. When Laynez attempted to step out, an officer pushed him from behind, twisted his arms, and pinned him onto the pavement with a knee.
In a shocking display, another officer shot Esdras twice in the stomach with a Taser. The young man collapsed to the ground, his body convulsing from the electric shocks. A distressed Laynez exclaimed, "What are you doing? That's not how you arrest someone."
Amidst the chaos, Laynez shouted, "I have the right to speak. I was born and raised here." An officer retorted, "You have no rights here. You're a 'Migo,' brother." The term "Migo" is often used derogatorily towards individuals of certain ethnic backgrounds.
The cellphone continued to record as Laynez lay on the sidewalk, capturing the conversation among the officers. "Once he applied it correctly, it took him down," one officer remarked. Another added, "You're funny, bro," followed by laughter as a third commented, "That was hilarious."
For several minutes, the officers continued to laugh while discussing the use of force and alleged resistance to arrest. One justified the Taser usage by claiming Esdras was "high," saying, "That's why we shot him with a stun gun." Another officer remarked, "They're starting to resist... we're going to end up shooting someone."
Following the arrest, Laynez was taken to a federal facility in Riviera Beach, where he spent six hours separated from his coworkers, who were transferred to the Krome Detention Center in Miami. According to Laynez, they were denied food and water at the federal center, and the only available restroom was outside, lacking doors and privacy.
Laynez also recounted being pressured by an officer to unlock his cellphone to check for any videos of the arrest. He refused, closing the apps and locking his phone. Eventually, a supervisor confirmed his U.S. citizenship and ordered his release, though not before charging him with non-violent police obstruction.
The video Laynez captured was shared by the Guatemalan-Maya Center of Lake Worth Beach and has sparked outrage among community leaders and civil rights advocates. The Palm Beach Post was the first to report the story.
Father Frank O’Loughlin, director of the center, remarked that the case highlights "the corruption of law enforcement by MAGA and the brutality of state and federal troops... towards non-violent individuals." Attorney Jack Scarola called the incident a blatant example of systemic disregard for civil rights amid Florida's immigration policies. "We should all feel not only offended but outraged," he stated.
Laynez, deeply affected, emphasized that the video is his only evidence. "Without it, I would have nothing... and no one would believe what happened or how the situation escalated. There may be even more unrecorded events occurring."
"The truth is, we were just going to work. We are not criminals," he stressed.
Questions About the Arrest and Civil Rights in Florida
What led to the arrest of Kenny Laynez and his companions?
Kenny Laynez and his companions were stopped by officers while traveling to a landscaping job. Despite having the proper vehicle documents, the officers claimed the mother's license was suspended and escalated the situation by questioning their immigration status.
How did the officers justify their use of force during the arrest?
The officers justified the use of force, including a Taser, by claiming that one of the individuals, Esdras, was "high" and that the group was resisting arrest. However, the video suggests excessive force was applied unnecessarily.
What actions were taken after Laynez's arrest?
After the arrest, Laynez was taken to a federal center where he was held for six hours without food or water. His companions were moved to a detention center in Miami. Eventually, Laynez was released after his citizenship was confirmed.
What impact has the video evidence had on the situation?
The video captured by Laynez has been crucial in drawing attention to the incident, sparking outrage among community leaders and civil rights activists. It serves as key evidence of the alleged misconduct by the officers.