The mother of Le'Keian Woods and a local activist are speaking out about Josue Garriga's arrest.
“You know, we're happy that the Clay County Sheriff's Office, arrested him, and we're happy that he’s finally been held accountable," said Michael Sampson II, Executive Director of the Jacksonville Community Action Committee.
Sampson sought out justice for Jamee Johnson. Johnson was the FAMU student shot and killed by Garriga in 2019.
He also supported Le'Keian Woods' family after Woods was beaten and arrested by multiple officers Garriga in September 2023.
Garriga was cleared of wrongdoings in both incidents.
“So we worked with both of those families and we're very much disgusted to hear about this," Sampson said, "it's just tragic. That a 17 year old, you know, a child, you know, is involved, you know, and that's just tragic, because if he would have been held accountable earlier by any of the other accusations that's been made before him.”
Sampson isn't the only one speaking out about Garriga's arrest.
Le'Keian Woods mom, Natassia Woods said in a statement to First Coast News:
“I’m just happy that he won’t be able to hurt anyone else’s child.”
Sampson is now just hoping that this time around justice will be served.
“We just demand that this officer or this former officer would be prosecuted to the further extent of the law. So this is a very serious matter. And I think, you know, the sheriff needs to respond accordingly. And the state attorney needs to do her job and you know, really look at what this officer has been involved in in the past.”
Garriga will make his next appearance in court will be on April 23 at 9 a.m.