Two Alaska State Trooper members have been charged with assault after they beat, stunned and dog-toting an innocent man in a case of mistaken identity.
Sergeant Joseph Miller, 49, and dog handler Jason Woodruff, 42, were charged with fourth-degree assault after they seriously injured 37-year-old Ben Tikka.
The complaint states that the officers were looking for Garrett Tikka, who was wanted for failing to serve a 10-day sentence for driving on a suspended license.
On May 24, the accused duo believed they had captured Garrett after finding an SUV in the Soldotna neighborhood on the Kenai Peninsula, southwest of Anchorage.
But instead of Garrett, in the vehicle was his cousin Ben.
Sergeant Joseph Miller, 49, and dog handler Jason Woodruff, 42, (pictured) were charged with fourth-degree assault after they inflicted serious injury on 37-year-old Ben Tikka
When they arrived at the vehicle, both men saw Ben in the back and ordered him out, citing a warrant for his arrest.
When Ben didn’t respond, Miller told him he would pepper spray the truck if Ben didn’t come out.
“Tikka, come outside or we’ll break your window and send a dog to bite you,” Miller told the innocent man, according to court documents.
Because Ben continued to refuse to come outside and repeatedly told officers there was no warrant for his arrest, Miller allegedly smashed a rear window of the car while Woodruff allegedly threatened to send a police dog after the truck.
The file shows that Miller then threw a can of pepper spray at the car, causing Ben to scream and eventually open the car door.
When the victim fell to the ground, Miller allegedly kicked him in the shin and struck the back of his head or neck with his fist.
Court documents state that Miller then used a stun gun and stepped on Ben’s head, pushing his head to the ground, where the broken glass from the window still lay.
The file shows that Miller threw a can of pepper spray into the vehicle, causing Ben to scream and eventually open the car door.
Bodycam footage shows Ben lying on the ground next to the black truck with blood on his forehead and the dog jumping on him
As he screamed, “What are you doing?” Miller stunned him in the back and the dog bit him in the stomach.
Bodycam footage shows Ben lying on the ground next to the black truck, with blood on his forehead, and the dog jumping on him.
“My hands are behind my back, sir, please stop. Please stop guys, I’m not a criminal,” Ben allegedly told officers as the dog lunged at him.
But despite the pleas, the complaint states that Woodruff continued to give the bite command, causing Ben to bleed profusely from his face and head.
Court documents show that none of the suspects asked Ben’s full name at any point. Instead, he was addressed simply as Tikka during the meeting.
Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell confirmed at a recent press conference that both officers had been placed on administrative leave and that he was the one who referred their cases for a criminal investigation.
As a result of the incident, Ben was left with an open bite to his left arm and multiple fractures and lacerations to his triceps and head.
Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell confirmed at a recent press conference that both officers had been suspended and that he was the one who referred their cases for criminal investigation.
‘I was absolutely sickened by what I saw. I’ve been with this department for 33 years and I’ve never seen anything like it.
“I can hardly imagine how this has affected me and other soldiers who wear this uniform,” he said.
Woodruff and Miller are scheduled to appear in court in Kenai on September 10.