Florida Investigation Clears Lakeland Police of Wrongdoing in Viral Arrest Case
An investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has cleared Lakeland police officers of any criminal wrongdoing in the viral arrest case of Antwan Glover. Glover, who was arrested in December 2022, claimed he was wrongfully stopped and called for the officers to face charges, alleging excessive force. However, the investigation concluded that no charges are appropriate against any of the officers involved.
In a seven-page summary released by the FDLE, the vantage point of the arresting officers is detailed. According to Sergeant Mark Eby and officers Jason McCain and Anton Jefferson, they stopped Glover for not wearing a seat belt. They later asked him to step out of the car after noticing marijuana on his person. The officers further stated that Glover started arguing with them when they questioned if he was carrying a weapon in a satchel he had been wearing.
The summary report indicates that the officers attempted to arrest Glover, who they claim resisted. Glover and his family deny this claim. The arresting officers admitted to tasing Glover thrice and punching him in the head and torso. Law enforcement expert Dr. David Thomas expressed concern that some of these details were missing from the original police report. He questioned why they were not included initially.
The report also includes an allegation that Glover put Officer Dillon Cornn into a headlock, a claim consistently denied by Glover. Officer Cornn declined to speak to the FDLE, exercising his right against self-incrimination.
Glover’s family also alleges that the arresting officers harassed them and threw one of their phones as they tried to record the arrest.
While awaiting the full investigative report from the FDLE, it is expected to take a few months due to a backlog. The Lakeland Police Department is also conducting its own internal investigation into the arrest.
Meanwhile, Glover is still facing charges of resisting arrest and possession of marijuana.
Overall, the investigation’s conclusion clears the Lakeland police officers of any criminal wrongdoing in the viral arrest case. The ongoing internal investigation by the Lakeland Police Department and the upcoming release of the full FDLE report will provide further insights into the incident.
