LAS VEGAS (AP) — A suspended Las Vegas police officer has become the first in 27 years to be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a person he was trying to arrest
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said Monday that Officer Kenneth Lopera's on-duty actions in the early May 14 death of Tashii Brown crossed a line into criminal conduct.
The court filing was expected, after Lopera was arrested June 5 on felony manslaughter and oppression under color of office charges.
Lopera is free on $6,000 bail pending arraignment Aug. 21.
Brown also used the name Tashii Farmer.
Police officials say Lopera used a stun gun seven times and punched Brown several times before putting him in an unapproved neck hold for more than a minute.
Lopera's police union legal representative, Steve Grammas (GRAE'-mas), says they'll fight the charges.
