'He is dangerous': Lawyers seek release of body cam footage involving Warrenton police sergeant accused of improper force
On Monday, lawyers called for the release of footage from a body camera worn by Warrenton Police Sergeant Mark Oakley.
The lawyers say they have identified 14 people who they say were victims of police brutality by Oakley, who has since been dismissed from the force.
So far, they have filed petitions to get body camera video for seven people. Six of them want their videos released privately. The attorneys filed a lawsuit to make one of them public
“We have spoken to 14 people who say they have been discriminated against by this officer,” attorney Abraham Rubert-Schewel said. “The town has to be held responsible, and the police department has to be held responsible.”
The lawyers said they were called in to represent two people, but learned more people experienced what they called police brutality and unnecessary use of force from Oakley.
The lawyers told WRAL News they expect more people to come forward.
“We’re not dealing with a race card, we’re dealing with facts today. No one [who is] white has filed a complaint, it’s been all Black people,” another speaker said. “He should not be allowed to work anywhere as an officer. Sooner or later he’s going to kill someone because he’s reckless, he’s dangerous and he’s a racist.”
According to documents obtained by WRAL News in February, an SBI agent interviewed two people, and one of them provided video recordings of three different incidents involving Oakley using his Taser.
Ruberty-Schewel said they chose to file the lawsuit and represent the victims after the video from one of the victims was released.
Oakley was fired at the end of March from the police department, according to a document from the town of Warrenton.
One of the alleged victims, Dwayne Hicks, said on Sept. 20, 2023, Oakley stopped him and took the tags on his vehicle, then followed him home, and stunned and arrested him in his front yard.
“It’s difficult for me to put into words the emotional trauma from the ordeal that took place,” he said. “I’m just glad we have the support that we have.”
Oakley provided the following statements to WRAL News in response to the allegations and SBI investigation:
"I feel that there are two sides to every story. I feel like the police side is not being represented at all in these proceedings. I am being misrepresented. I hope that the truth will prevail eventually."
