Salinas suspect arrested in viral video makes court appearance
A Salinas suspect seen resisting arrest in a viral video last week appeared in court Wednesday for violating the terms of his parole terms.
According to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, Jose Velasco, 28, appeared in court for his most recent arrest on Friday where police were called out to N. Main Street and Bernal Dr. That’s where he’s accused of slammed his mother’s head into the ground and trying to drag her into traffic, before resisting arrest.
Prosecutors said a new case has not been filed by the district attorney’s office against Velasco yet. He’s being held in the Monterey County Jail on no bail.
The DA’s office said Velasco originally went to prison May 2012 after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a gun with gang enhancements. Velasco was sent back to prison February 2014 for violating the original terms of his parole, prosecutors said.
Mom, Rita Acosta, told NewsChannel 5 he suffers from a mental illness and wasn’t trying to hurt her. The situation escalated into a violent arrest, with officers using a Taser and batons. Police said two attempts to subdue him with a Taser didn’t work. That’s when they said they had to take it to the next level.
According to police, Velasco’s violent outburst didn’t end there. They said he attacked a paramedic and another cop on the way to the hospital.
Police said Velasco had unnatural strength and intolerance to pain. Eventually, during a hospital interview, police said Velasco admitted to smoking meth and drinking alcohol before the incident.
At Salinas’ city council meeting Tuesday night, some residents called for change within the police department, citing concerns with officer’s use of force. People with that same message stood outside the courthouse Wednesday, during Velasco’s appearance.
The incident resulted in two investigations. The first will Velasco’s conduct leading up to police being called to the scene. The second is whether Salinas police officers’ use of force was justified. All of the officers involved are still on duty.
Velasco will make his next appearance in court July 8, at 10 a.m.
