Man accusing cops of beating him jailed for positive marijuana test

First Posted: 3/30/2015

LIMA — A Spencerville man who accused police of beating him during an arrest is back in jail after testing positive for marijuana.

Tyler Paxson, 19, tested positive for marijuana on March 19. Judge David Cheney of Allen County Common Pleas Court ordered Paxson back in jail and revoked his bond.

Paxson is charged with one count of felonious assault, a fourth-degree felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison. He is scheduled to stand trial May 4.

Paxson said he was the victim of a brutal attack by police.

“They are just trying to save themselves. They are trying to put more stuff on me to make it look like I did something wrong when I didn’t,” he said after the misdemeanor charges were dropped and a felony indicted was handed down.

The incident happened at 3:21 a.m. July 12 in the 100 block of Haller Street. Paxson said he stopped by a friend’s house when officers approached him at the doorstep outside.

“The officer started immediately harassing me and saying what are you doing? What is your name?” Paxson said.

Paxson said he told the officer he had rights and could walk away without having to answer questions.

Paxson said, “I told him, ‘I’m an American citizen, and I haven’t done anything wrong.’”

He then said he tried to walk away, and the officer grabbed him by the arm, ripped him off a step at the house and slammed him to the ground. He said the officer then pulled him up and slammed him into a house.

Paxson said another officer arrived and began beating him. He said he never resisted arrest but was beaten so badly he was knocked unconscious.

Police responding to the scene over a different matter came across Paxson and said he was highly intoxicated with bloodshot eyes. Officer Nathan Garlock said the level of intoxication created a risk to Paxson, himself and anyone with whom he may have contact.

Paxson also was not old enough to legally drink. He tested at 0.17 percent blood-alcohol level, more than twice the legal limit to drive in Ohio, although Paxson was not driving, he was on foot when police stopped him, police said.