Lexington man falsely accuses law enforcement of excessive force, Kentucky police say
A Lexington man has been charged with falsely reporting an incident after he accused the Greenup County sheriff’s department of using excessive force against him, according to Kentucky State Police.
Donald Garrison, 59, told police he was a victim of excessive force when the sheriff’s office detained him on July 4. Garrison had just left a July 4 party in Greenup County, where he was involved in a fight before deputies stopped him, police said. Garrison had been injured that day, police said, and he was taken to King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland to be treated for his injuries.
Garrison contacted state police while he was at the medical center to report his excessive force allegation, police said. An investigator responded to the hospital to speak with Garrison before he was transported to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital in Lexington for further treatment, police said.
But an investigation determined that Garrison’s injuries were caused by the fight at the party and not by excessive force, police said.
“Video evidence and witnesses provides proof that his injuries occurred at a party and not by the deputies as he reported,” Trooper Shane Goodall said in a news release.
Garrison was taken into custody by state police Monday and transported to the Greenup County Detention Center, police said. He was released with no bond on his own recognizance, according to court records. He’s scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Greenup County District Court Monday.
Police said they’re not sure of Garrison’s motive.
“We are going to be waiting for the first court appearance to see how he will proceed once all evidence is produced,” Goodall said.
The court will also hear Garrison’s July 4 case at the same time. He was initially charged with two counts of wanton endangerment against police officers, evading police, resisting arrest and driving under the influence of alcohol, according to court records.
This story was originally published October 20, 2020 at 8:17 AM.