Denver, CO – A lawsuit has been filed against a former Gilpin County sheriff’s deputy accused of assaulting a local man, Christopher Bustos, resulting in the loss of vision in one eye during a confrontation last year. The incident, which occurred on March 19, 2023, has sparked concerns regarding the use of excessive force and adherence to law enforcement protocols.
According to court documents, Filip Perry, the implicated former deputy, approached a vehicle reported as stolen, positioned in the Ameristar Casino parking lot in Blackhawk. Bustos, along with an unidentified passenger, was in the car following a visit to the casino. The lawsuit alleges that Perry escalated the situation unnecessarily by drawing his firearm and using his taser without provocation, directly aiming at Bustos’ face.
The legal claim details that Perry ordered Bustos to exit the car while maintaining the gun on him at all times and uttered multiple commands laced with profanity. Despite Bustos not displaying any aggressive behavior nor possessing any weapons, Perry did not deescalate nor follow due warnings before employing his taser which ultimately caused permanent damage to Bustos’ left eye.
Bustos now faces severe medical repercussions from the encounter, with pending surgery to replace his injured eye with a prosthetic. The filing additionally highlights Perry’s prior termination from his position following another physical altercation under similar circumstances, which also took place in the same location.
The lawsuit accuses the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office of failing to discipline Perry after the incident with Bustos or properly document his use of force. Revelations from an internal affairs investigation indicate Perry expressed a lack of remorse over his actions, with discovered texts where he boasted about the power he wielded and the injuries he inflicted.
Body camera footage mentioned in the lawsuit substantiates the claim of Perry’s inappropriate behavior and non-compliance with standard law enforcement protocols. This footage is critical in illustrating the sequence of events leading to the tragic outcome for Bustos, who has pleaded guilty to aggravated motor vehicle theft and is currently serving a 10-year sentence.
Bustos is seeking damages to cover extensive medical treatments, loss of income, and emotional distress caused by the incident. The case not only raises questions about individual accountability but also broader issues concerning the conduct expected of law enforcement officers.
This report was compiled and automatically written by Open AI, and while it includes essential details based on the available information, inaccuracies may exist. For concerns or corrections regarding the content, please contact contact@publiclawlibrary.org.