Documents: Now-fired deputy put gun to suspect's face, demanded identification
TAMPA, Fla. - Defense Attorney Paul Sisco is known for fighting vigorously for his clients, but his passion has hit a new level. Sisco now represents a 21-year veteran of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office who was fired last week after allegedly pointing a gun at a suspect's head.
"I think it's a mistake. I think you have a good cop who was in the crosshairs of election season," said Sisco.
Former Sgt. Janak Amin was fired and arrested after Sheriff Chad Chronister says he pointed a gun a suspects head and threatened to shoot him if he didn't give up his name.
Chronister called Amin's actions "egregious."
"The violation of public trust and dishonoring of his oath to serve and protect is despicable," said Sheriff Chronister.
But Sisco claims there were 10 witnesses who saw what happened and many don't agree with the sheriff.
"Seven of the people there deny the facts as announced by the sheriff," said Sisco.
In court documents just released, we hear what the alleged victim, 35-year-old Carl Elkins, claims happened.
He said Amin, "put his gun on my eye and said if you don't tell me your name, I'm gonna shoot you," according to the report.
Documents show Amin and three other members of the sheriff's office were attempting to serve an active warrant for Elkins, who Sisco said was accidentally released by the sheriff's office.
"My client made no mistake, my client followed protocol. I'm saying it's a mistake by the sheriff's office when they released this guy that has 25 prior arrests, he was a fugitive and he was not complying with the arrest," explained Sisco.
Sisco says a good cop was trying to get a bad guy off the streets and got in trouble for it.
"The decision to have a press conference was a mistake, the decision to fire was a mistake, certainly the decision to arrest was a mistake," said Sisco.
Amin is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is currently out on bond.