Photo: Getty Images
A Black man was falsely accused of drug possession, detained, and tased by authorities at a Texas airport, video footage shows.
The man, identified as Michael Singleton, was seen pleading with witnesses to record his interaction with officers in front of a Southwest Airlines gate at the Dallas Love Field Airport over the weekend.
Video shared on social media shows Singleton being handcuffed and tased after being accused of carrying drugs.
“This man said he was being framed and [asked] to film. I later overheard that a lady was misheard by the officers and they went straight into action when they assumed ‘white powder was involved.’ I hope what she really said goes back to the cops that took him away,” a witness captioned the video.
In the video, Singleton maintained his innocence in the situation. Police responded that he had a warrant, which Singleton said was for a traffic ticket. While appearing to comply with police orders, one of the officers deployed a Taser on Singleton, prompting gasps from bystanders.
The shock sent Singleton to the ground.
“I’m not a drug dealer!” Singleton said as he was handcuffed. “I had my hands behind my back and didn’t even f*****g move. And I was f*****g electrocuted!”
The incident ended with officers putting Singleton into a wheelchair and escorting him away from the gate.
Another social media user spoke out, saying Singleton, who is reportedly a traveling cook known as Chef Mezzie, had his charges dropped following the incident.
“Mike contacted me on FB tonight after I share this post earlier. He is free and okay at the moment. The charges have been dropped including resisting arrest. He is lawyered up and it is in the courts hands now,” the user's post reads.
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