Virginia ABC motions to dismiss $3 million civil lawsuit over Martese Johnson's arrest

Martese Johnson (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

WRIC – CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WRIC) — Attorneys for the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) have filed a motion to dismiss a $3 million civil lawsuit against them.

University of Virginia student Martese Johnson filed the complaint against the ABC, its director and three agents involved in his arrest on October 20. The suit alleges unlawful detention and excessive use of force.

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Video and photos of Johnson being pinned to the sidewalk by ABC agents were widely distributed on social media. Johnson, who is black, could be heard on the video calling the officers racist. He was bleeding from a gash in his head.

No charges were filed against the officers, and charges against Johnson were dropped.