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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, December 12, 2011

14 Year-Old Dieruff Student Sues Allentown Cop Who Tased Her

Jason Ammary has been an Allentown police officer since 2006. He moonlights with a limo service. Earlier this year, he volunteered for three hours behind a McDonald's counter to help raise $940 for PAL. He also received a commendation of merit. As of Friday, he is also a Defendant accused in federal district court of being a rogue officer.

According to a complaint filed by Attorney Rick Orloski, Ammary beat up and tasered a 14-year old bi-racial Dieruff High School student who was walking with two female companions after school let out on September 29.

Orloski's complaint claims that Ammary approached this child from behind, grabbed her shoved his forearm into her throat, went for his taser, and then proceeded to blast her in her groin. While he forced her to lay face down, the barbs from the taser dug into her private areas, and this was made worse when he handcuffed her. While doing this, Ammary was allegedly berating this girl's "socioeconomic status."

She had to be taken to St. Luke's Hospital, where the barbs were ultimately removed.

What crime dd this young lady commit? Murder? Robbery? Nah. Apparently, it was just a summary offense for being a "pedestrian on the street."

OK, OK. Police brutality charges are made all the time. Why take this seriously?

There's a video. Unbeknownst to the Officer, the City's vaunted camera system, designed to catch the bad guys, may very well have caught him. The Officer claims "hundreds" of students were blocking the street, but that's not what the video shows. The Officer claims he had to shoot her in the groin because she was blocking her chest with her backpack. That's not what the video shows.

Incidentally, since when do police officers use tasers on nonviolent female minors accused of a summary offense?

I am in the process of getting the video, and when I do, will post it. In the meantime, here's a link to the Complaint in Geist v. Ammary and Allentown.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Typical Orloski

Anonymous said...

Ghetto hoods are lucky he didn't use his gun

Bill said...

These are some disturbing allegations. Must have missed this in the Morning Call.

Bill said...

These are some disturbing allegations. Must have missed this in the Morning Call.

Zorn the Great said...

bi-racial - says it all

Anonymous said...

This is horrible to read. Thank you for bringing this to light. What defense will this officer use? How will he explain private area
"torture?"

Anonymous said...

Did the Call write about this? Haven't heard one word of this case.

Anonymous said...

"View profile for Jason Ammary Jason Ammary is associated with Glamorous Limousine Service, LLC with the role of Principal. and is located in Allentown, PA." Courtesy: Topix

Does the term "principal" usually mean partial or more ownership?

Anonymous said...

Years ago when video first became user-friendly, scholars proclaimed it could be used to provide a level playing field. Rodney King's beating for example. Not saying this officer is guilty. A trial will determine that.

Bernie O'Hare said...

A few points. First, This is a complaint,. Ammary might very well be completely innocent The reason I decided to write about it is bc of the video. Second, should police officers be permitted to tase 14 yo girls? In their private parts? We condemn Sandusky, but isn't this abuse, too? Finally, I did not see this in the MC, but their court coverage is pretty good.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Regarding the limo service, it is my guess that Ammary has an ownership interest of some kind.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Ghetto hoods are lucky he didn't use his gun"

If that's supposed to be a joke, it's not very funny. In fact, most of the comments posted at the 3 AM time slot are weird like that and end up getting deleted.

Anonymous said...

"Second, should police officers be permitted to tase 14 yo girls? In their private parts?"

I think there is something to the operation of a taser that makes this part of the operation, as odd as it sounds. The taser deploys multiple barbs that piece the skin. When the shock is triggered, it affects the muscles between the barbs, not the whole body. So the further the barbs are from each other, the more effective. if the barbs are a foot apart, then only a foot of body will be shocked. Ideally, the barbs spread out: the chest/shoulder area and to the groin region. when the shock activates, it would cripple everything in between. if it only his the shoulder and chest area, the person being shocked may not go down or be affected. So, the operation described in the complaint sounds terrible, but it sounds consistent with the operation of a taser (based on my limited experience). What most people don't understand, is that tasers are horrible devises. The description is horrible b/c the device is horrible. If my understanding is wrong, and even if it isn't wrong, it doesn't justify torture, if that is in fact what happened. Hopefully the video does help to illustrate things a bit more.

To the 3:57 jerk who has no value for human life... I think that says it all.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I am trying to get the video from District Court. We will see it for ourselves eventually.

Anonymous said...

Nazareth is getting sued for tasering a drunk and beating him until he shit his pants. One used to get a ride to sleep it off. Cop jobs aren't easy. But many are former punks with anger issues who can be very costly to the taxpayers who recruit, hire and arm them.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, the police taser training manuel shows that officers may not tase females or males in the head or groin, additionally, officers are trained NOT to tase females in the breasts, and are advised against tasing in the chest of males or females due to the possibility of heart attacks.

Anonymous said...

This may very well be a case of police brutality if all the allegations are true, time will tell. But to assume that the officer KNOWINGLY meant to shoot her in her private parts is outrageous at best, Bernie. Bringing up Sandusky to prove your point? Now that's downright stupid. Tasers have one direct shooting probe and a second " trailing " probe that can land anywhere UNDER the first one depending on the distance of the subject. And think is irresponsible to portray that the officer meant to hit her there.

Bernie O'Hare said...

6:09, I accept your criticism. Perhaps the Sandusky comparison is a stretch. And I agree that this officer may very well be blameless. But if the allegations are true, he and the City have a problem.

Zorn the Great said...

typical bo stuff, going off half cocked, fanning the fire. hasn't seen the film but he knows all or at least ass-u-mes.

Anonymous said...

Orloski snow job. He's about as successful in court as he is at the polls.

Bill said...

I was being sarcastic, I did not see this in the Morning Call. On the face of it, these allegations are disgusting. Tasing a 14 year old maybe appropriate in some really limited situations, but not being in the street. But as you pointed out these are allegations at this point.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, May as well pay this girl off quick. It will save the tax-payers lot's of $$$$ paying many billable hours going to King Edward's political donating lawyer.

Anonymous said...

I know Jason Ammary personally, and I can honestly say there is nothing good to say about him. He is an arrogant human being, and I hope he gets all that he deserves!

Bernie O'Hare said...

It would be better if you identified yourself before attacking this guy. I don't know him. He is a police officer who has volunteered his time and has been commended. While I don't like what is in the complaint, I can't give any weight to an anonymous attack.

Anonymous said...

For safety concerns I felt it best to keep it anonymous.

Anonymous said...

I watched the video and its clear the officer and the city of allentown are in big trouble. They didnt have any punishment when they were driving like goofs and crashed into eachother killing a small boy hopefully the hammer comes down on this city this time around or next it will be one of your children.

Anonymous said...

I am originally from allentown lived on 2nd st. the majority of my life.. and if he tased her in the groin area all i can say is i pray that her reproductive organs are damaged(joking)..First off all Kids these days have no respect and that comes from the parents or a lack of parents or parenting skills,majority of these kids walk the streets like they own the place a bunch of punks who need a good old fashion a@@ whoopping.i think the officer did not over react and if this girls mother was a good mother she would have taught her to be respectful not only to her elders but to others as well when i see these kids walk the middle of the street with no fear of being hit by a car i feel like running right over them.Allentown needs more people like officer ammary to put these punks in there place male or female they are all scum. That is the problem, most adults in the schools and including authority figures everywhere are actually afraid of these kids/students. These students have no fear because they know they are allowed to run the show. There are not enough consequences for their actions. This lawsuit should be a prime example, that go ahead and try to sue, use the discrimination card, the juvenile card etc...you are not exempt from rules and regulations. If it was an adult or older teen that attacked the officer and provoked all this, the situation would be worse and no different. You don't know these days who carries a gun and who will use it. Too many gang bangers on the streets, male or female, child or adult. These officers are installed in these schools for a reason. They should protect the whole student body and teachers and themselves. Too many people ready to take an officer down.

Anonymous said...

Well, i know Jason also and arrogant doesn't come to mind. It doesn't matter what someone's personality is anyway, it does not mean they are not capable of doing their job well. What kind of person are you for saying that he deserves it. These policemen put their lives on the line to serve their communities and provide for their families, i would hate for anyone to jeopardize that. But anyhow, I know that Jason does truly love his job and wants to make a difference. He wanted to be a cop since he was about 7 yrs old. He would ride his bike with plastic handcuffs around his waist to the east side firestation. He would follow police cars zooming by on Irving St and pretend he was one of them chasing bad guys. His heart is into his job. He's guilty of that much. He truly feels he can make a difference on the streets and in the schools. We need more officers like him in our neighborhoods and schools. Thank You Jason and all of APD!

Anonymous said...

I think this whole thing is completely blown out of proportion.First of all this video has been edited and the part of her hitting the officer has been cut out,this has been doctored.These kids have no respect,not only for law enforcement but also teachers,parents and last but not least themselves...most kids now adays are pregnant by middle school.I know officer ammary and if he did this there is very good reason,he is not some hot headed cop trying to make a name for himself. He does this because this is his passion to help make the community a better place for all. I used to live in allentown and left because i did not want my children going to ASD. I would not send a dog to ASD let alone my child. We need more cops like him to clean up the city.People jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts once the girl was subdued he did not beat her. The whole point of having a taser is that it is a non lethal form to control someone who is acting up,would people rather see him pumel the girl or put her in a choke hold to have her stop

Anonymous said...

Where's the video?

Anonymous said...

iknow alot of doctors who are unfriendly jerks, but are excellent gifted and talented doctors. we are humans, we make mistakes. thank god this cop's was not life threatening but his personal life need not be attacked. thats just low. no need to be vindictive. also orloski may be a crappy ambulance chasing lawyer but he's looking for a paycheck as well so he'll do and say whatever to get the story out even if its embellished

Bernie O'Hare said...

Or maybe, like those excellent doctors you mention, he's an excellent lawyer and there's no need to attack him personally?

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Where's the video?"

http://youtu.be/QaPjJG8NVsY

Anonymous said...

In reference to: "thank god this cop's was not life threatening but his personal life need not be attacked. thats just low. "

How is it low? A person's character is a person's character. Character is reflected personally and professionally. This officer's character is what is "low."

Anonymous said...

Thank you Allentown Police for all your hard work!