A Portland man is poised to receive a $400,000 settlement from the city following his arrest during a 2020 protest. Dustin Brandon Ferreira, 40, known as “Wheels,” claims he experienced excessive force by police during a demonstration in north Portland. The protest, which was part of a larger series of anti-police demonstrations in the city, saw Ferreira taken into custody on charges that were later dismissed, according to court records.
Ferreira, who uses a wheelchair due to brittle bone disease, alleges that former police Sgt. Justin Damerville used excessive force during the arrest process. The civil suit claims Damerville kicked Ferreira’s wheelchair, forcefully spun it around, and detained him with zip ties. Ferreira argues his arrest was unjust as he did not comply with dispersal orders due to his physical constraints.
Former Sgt. Damerville, in court declarations, maintained that Ferreira was arrested for refusing to comply with several dispersal orders issued after the assembly was declared unlawful. The charges initially brought against Ferreira, including second-degree disorderly conduct and interfering with an officer, were dropped a day later by Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt, who had declined to pursue numerous similar protest-related cases. Schmidt is one of many far-left district attorneys whose campaigns have been backed by radical progressive billionaire George Soros.
Jason Kafoury, Ferreira’s attorney, filed the complaint citing state laws safeguarding vulnerable individuals, suggesting the potential for tripled damages if misconduct is proven. Kafoury indicated this might contribute to the substantial settlement expected from the city, which is slated for a City Council vote this week.
The Portland city attorney’s office stated the city has paid over $3 million in settlements relating to police actions during the 2020 protests.
