Feds investigate police brutality claim

(WPRI) - The Target 12 Investigators have learned the Federal Bureau of Investigations has launched an investigation into a police brutality case caught on tape.

Sources tell Target 12 an agent from the Providence office of the FBI paid a visit to the Providence Police headquarters Thursday morning to collect evidence in the case.

Last month, 20 year-old Luis Mendonca filed a police brutality claim against Providence Police Detective Robert DeCarlo. Mendonca claimed he was in handcuffs when DeCarlo struck him with a flashlight and kicked him.

Mendonca’s attorney, Alberto Aponte Cardona, said his client’s head had to be stapled back together and he was in a coma for nearly three days at Rhode Island Hospital.

The violent clash on October 20th, was caught on surveillance tape by cameras from a nearby building on Benefit Street.

The Providence Police as well as the U.S. Attorney’s office would not comment on the developments.

Earlier this month, Providence police said DeCarlo and another unnamed officer were placed on desk duty pending the outcome of a state investigation.

The State Attorney General’s office launched an investigation in this case on November 17th. Their probe continues.

A spokesperson for the FBI said they cannot confirm or deny the investigation, but said there are federal laws that address police misconduct.

Last week, the feds charged a Woonsocket police officer with a federal civil rights violation in another police brutality case.

Officer John Douglas of Blackstone Massachusetts was charged with two counts including obstruction of justice. Prosecutors allege Officer Douglas beat a 16 year-old African American boy in a Woonsocket park and then asked fellow officers to lie to investigators.