Harris County sheriff's deputy seen punching shoplifting suspect in the head during attempted arrest

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A Harris County sheriff's deputy is seen repeatedly hitting a man in the head with a closed fist as several deputies attempt to arrest him.

A stunned bystander took out his phone and began recording as officers arrested the suspect on Beltway 8 near Woodforest.

The suspect, identified as Deveon Dillard, 29, is seen on the ground as officers work to arrest him before he is punched in the head.

According to the sheriff's office, Dillard is accused of shoplifting from a nearby Kroger before his arrest. A spokesperson said he tried to grab the deputy's stun gun.

Dillard's mother, Veronica Steptoe, didn't know the video existed until ABC13 showed it to her. Steptoe said her son called her from prison to tell her he had been badly beaten.

“He said, 'Mom, I thought I was dead. They were beating me,'” Steptoe recalled.

Dillard is now charged with possession of a controlled substance after deputies said they found methamphetamine on him, assault on a peace officer, and attempted taking of a weapon (Taser).

“If he stole, take him to jail,” Steptoe said. “But that doesn't justify laying hands on him. They literally beat my son. Three of them.”

Dillard's criminal record includes mostly drug-related charges in Harris County.

“He's done things before. He's far from a perfect person. He's imperfect. So am I,” Steptoe said, “But what I'm saying is that even with what he does, It’s inappropriate.”

Greg Fremin is a retired HPD captain and former criminal justice professor. ABC13 had him watch the video to get his reaction based on his experience.

“The deputy is doing everything he can to try to stop this individual who is violently resisting arrest and aggressively resisting,” Fremin said.

According to Fremin, the key question that will be asked is the level of force used by deputies to make the arrest. Fremin says body camera footage with audio will be crucial because of the deputy's verbal commands.

“How long were they in that position while he was struggling? Was he nearby with their weapons? It takes them a split second to grab the deputies' Taser, and now they're fighting for their lives ” said Fremin.

ABC13 reached out to the sheriff's office for a response to its deputies' actions. A spokesperson said all use of force incidents are reviewed internally and a review has been launched. All affected deputies are on active duty and working.

“I don’t want this to happen to anyone else,” Steptoe said. “It’s not just about my son.”

ABC13 requested body camera footage, but a spokesperson said the case is active.

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