Texas Teen Sues ICE Agent for Choking, Seizing Phone Over Filming of Arrest

A 19-year-old Texas man has filed a federal lawsuit alleging an ICE agent choked him unconscious and sold his phone after he filmed the agent’s arrest of a neighbour.

Key Details of the Lawsuit

Arnoldo Bazan, a US citizen, filed the suit in a Texas federal court on Tuesday. He names ICE agent Robert C. Lanzoni as the defendant, accusing him of violating multiple constitutional rights.

The Incident in Weslaco

The altercation occurred on May 20, 2023, in the parking lot of Bazan’s Weslaco apartment complex. Bazan began recording after seeing Lanzoni and other officers arresting his neighbour, an undocumented immigrant, believing they used excessive force.

According to the lawsuit, Agent Lanzoni saw Bazan filming, demanded he stop and hand over the phone. When Bazan refused, Lanzoni allegedly grabbed him by the throat and choked him until he lost consciousness. The agent then took the phone and later sold it to a third party.

“Defendant Lanzoni’s actions were motivated by a desire to prevent Plaintiff from exercising his First Amendment right to record law enforcement officers engaged in their official duties in a public place,” the lawsuit states.

Constitutional Violations Alleged

The suit claims Lanzoni violated Bazan’s:

• First Amendment right to free speech by stopping the recording.
• Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable seizure by taking the phone without a warrant.
• Texas state law through assault and battery via excessive force.

Bazan seeks compensatory and punitive damages, the return or replacement of his phone, and a court declaration that his rights were violated.

Broader Context and Reaction

The case underscores persistent tensions between law enforcement and citizens who record police activity.

The Texas Civil Rights Project, representing Bazan, stated the case highlights the need for greater law enforcement accountability.

“No one should be assaulted for exercising their constitutional rights,” said Efren Olivares, the group’s deputy legal director. “We hope this lawsuit sends a message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.”

ICE has not commented on the pending litigation. The lawsuit emerges amid ongoing scrutiny of ICE’s enforcement tactics.

Impact on the Teenager

Bazan says the incident left him traumatized, suffering from anxiety and depression. He hopes his legal action prevents others from similar experiences.

“I just want justice,” Bazan said. “I want to make sure that no one else has to go through what I went through.”