Two Alaska State Troopers have been charged with assault after beating, stunning and using a police dog on an innocent man in a case of mistaken identity.
Sergeant Joseph Miller, 49, and dog handler Jason Woodruff, 42, were charged with fourth-degree misdemeanor assault after causing serious injury to Ben Tikka, 37.
Charging documents said officers were searching for Garrett Tikka, who was wanted for failing to serve a 10-day sentence for driving with a revoked license.
On May 24, the accused duo assumed they had caught Garrett after finding a pickup truck parked in the community of Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula southwest of Anchorage.
But instead of Garrett, the man inside the vehicle was his cousin, Ben.
Sergeant Joseph Miller, 49, and dog handler Jason Woodruff, 42 (pictured) were charged with fourth-degree misdemeanor assault after causing serious injury to Ben Tikka, 37.
As they approached the vehicle, both men saw Ben in the back and ordered him out of the car, citing a warrant for his arrest.
After failing to respond, Miller notified Ben that he would pepper spray the inside of the truck if he refused to get out.
“Tikka, either you come out or we’re going to break your window and send the dog in to bite you,” Miller told the innocent man, according to court documents.
As Ben continued to refuse to get out and repeatedly told officers there was no warrant out for him, Miller allegedly smashed a rear window of the car while Woodruff allegedly threatened to send a police dog to the truck.
The filing claims Miller then threw a canister of pepper spray inside the vehicle, causing Ben to scream and eventually open the car door.
When the victim fell to the ground, Miller allegedly kicked him in the shin and struck the back of his head or neck with his fist.
Court documents state Miller then used a stun gun and in the process stomped on Ben’s head, pushing her to the ground where the broken window glass remained.
The filing states that Miller then released a canister of pepper spray into the vehicle, causing Ben to scream and eventually open the car door.
Body camera footage shows Ben lying on the ground next to the black truck with blood on his forehead and the dog jumping on him.
While yelling “What are you doing?”, Miller punched him in the back and the canine bit him in the abdomen.
Body camera footage shows Ben lying on the ground next to the black truck with blood on his forehead and the dog jumping on him.
“I have my hands behind my back, sir, please stop. Please stop, guys, I’m not a criminal,” Ben allegedly told officers as the dog lunged at him.
But despite the pleas, the lawsuit claims Woodruff continued to give the bite command, causing Ben’s face and head to bleed profusely.
Court documents noted that at no point did either defendant ask Ben’s full name and instead only addressed him as Tikka during the encounter.
Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell confirmed at a recent news conference that both officers had been placed on administrative leave and that he was the one who referred their cases for criminal investigation.
As a result of the incident, Ben was left with an open bite on his left arm, multiple fractures and lacerations to his triceps and head.
Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell confirmed at a recent news conference that both officers had been placed on administrative leave and that he was the one who referred their cases for criminal investigation.
“What I saw left me totally disgusted. I have been in this department for 33 years and I have never seen an action like this.
“It’s hard for me to explain how this has affected me and other soldiers who wear this uniform,” he said.
Woodruff and Miller will be arraigned in court on Sept. 10 in Kenai.
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