By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

RESERVE — The attorney of the Reserve teenager arrested following a violent apprehension in Jefferson Parish said the FBI contacted him Wednesday and informed him the agency opened an investigation into the arrest.

Brady Becker’s attorney, David Belfield III, said this week the case boils down to a grown man “beating a 17-year-old like he stole something” and is adamant his client is the victim of a “rogue police officer who is pissing vinegar.”

Becker, 17, was punched in the face repeatedly by arresting officer Nicholas Breaux of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office during his Feb. 13 arrest for inciting a riot, resisting an officer, battery of a police officer and underage possession of alcohol.

Becker’s arrest, some of which was captured on video and has been viewed over 300,000 times since Feb. 15 in a graphic 37-second YouTube upload, was performed by Breaux, named as the arresting and transporting officer, and Cory Porche, listed as an arresting officer.

“Anything above the shoulders is considered deadly force and called the kill zone,” Belfield said. “What did a 17-year-old child do to be hit in the kill zone?”

Belfield said FBI officials in the New Orleans office told him they were directed by the Justice Department in Washington D.C. to open an investigation into the arrest.

“They’ll get to the bottom of it,” Belfield said.

Belfield said anyone who witnessed Becker’s arrest is encouraged to contact Steven Zeringue at the New Orleans FBI office at 504-816-3000.

Some witnesses have expressed fear about sharing their story, Belfield said, adding, “I would hope with FBI involvement those same concerns would not be present.”

Becker visited the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Feb. 20 to formally file a complaint against Breaux regarding the arrest, Belfield said.

Colonel John Fortunato, public information office commander for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, said an internal investigation has been launched into the arrest.

“You can’t put a timeline on it,” Fortunato said. “The length (of the investigation) will depend on the number of interviews and statements that need to be taken.”

Fortunato said Breaux’s policing assignment has not been altered since the arrest or the launch of the investigation.

According to the arrest register and crime report narrative, Breaux and Porche were assigned to patrol the J.C. Penney parking lot at Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie Feb. 13, an area “which has been known for the use of illegal narcotics, fighting and underage alcohol consumption during the Carnival season.”

The officers, who were conducting their patrol in civilian clothing, named Becker in the narrative as the “main instigator” in a group of 20-30 people who were milling around the parking garage after the parade was over.

“While walking past a large group of individuals, (Becker) began screaming ‘[expletive deleted] the cops’ multiple times,” the arrest report states, adding Becker pushed Breaux after the detectives approached Becker and identified themselves as police officers.

The report states after Breaux “escorted” Becker “to the ground into a prone position for handcuffing,” Breaux attempted to place Becker on the ground when Becker began punching him in the face and chest area with his free hand.

At times during the arrest, Becker also grabbed at Breaux’s throat, according to the report.

The narrative continues “Breaux then struck Becker in the facial area several times in hopes of gaining control of his violent behavior.” 

According to reports, Becker was brought to University Hospital to be treated for injuries that included swelling to his right and left jaw and laceration and swelling to his left eye.

After treatment Becker was taken to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center for booking.

“While at University Hospital, Becker asked detectives what happened earlier in the night,” the narrative states. “Becker then advised that he did not have any recollection of what occurred on the parade route.”

The report concludes by saying Becker told authorities “he had consumed a half bottle of Crown” that night.

“He assaulted me,” Becker has said of Breaux.

“He violated my rights. He treated me like I was lower than what I am … he treated me like I’m not even a person.”