JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Department of Justice has confirmed it is 'monitoring the incident' of a Jacksonville man's brutal arrest, according to a letter to his attorneys.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says the department itself is not being "monitored, investigated, or examined."
Le'Keian Woods was arrested Sept. 29. He ran from police during a traffic stop and was taken down by three officers; reports show he was struck by officers 17 times.
His arrest was filmed and went viral. In his mugshot, Woods had his eyes swollen shut, and in a later mugshot, his eyes were filled with blood.
Officers were shown punching, elbowing and kneeing Woods in the bodycam footage (reports say the kneeing was 'unintentional') from his arrest. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said a short video circulating on social media, showing an officer kicking Woods, was doctored.
The DOJ wrote in the letter that Woods's injuries included a "closed head injury," a ruptured kidney, severe swelling, and contusions in his face.
The officers involved in this case are all currently working. While the case is under investigation, Waters said he believes they acted properly.
The letter says if information discovered by the U.S. State Attorney's Office "discloses a prosecutable federal criminal civil rights offense," then action will be taken.
Woods had an outstanding warrant for violating probation in Leon County at the time of his arrest. He is currently being held there.