Nigerian-American man arrested by Texas police for “jogging” speaks out
The 33-year-old Nigerian-American man, Mathias Ometu, who was arrested while jogging in Texas, has finally spoken out about his experience with San Antonio police.
The Insurance Executive was arrested on the 25th of August 2020, after being stopped by police for looking like a domestic violence suspect.
After much resistance, he was cuffed by the police only for the victim to state that Mathias Ometu was not the suspect.
Despite being cleared, he was still taken into custody and remained there for two days.
Recounting his ordeal, Mathias Ometu said he was jogging near Interstate 10 and Woodstone Drive in San Antonio, Texas when he noticed a police car slow down by him before speeding past him and turning back around toward him.
He disclosed that he felt targeted by the police who were looking for Darren Smith Jr., who was arrested on an unrelated robbery warrant on Friday. Smith has not been charged in connection with the family violence incident.
When police told Ometu they wanted to take him to the apartment complex so the victim would identify him as the suspect, he persisted on remaining where he is.
Ometu said;
“Once those doors close on you, you never know when they’re going to open again.”
The Insurance Executive, however, admitted he was aggravated during the incident because he was an innocent man.
He said;
“I was bent forward with two grown men pressing on my back. I was yanked by an officer by my neck, my legs twisted contorted in awkward and uncomfortable positions. I felt each finger the officers pressed into my throat.
“I did not intentionally kick, scratch, or harm any officer. I was guilty before proven innocent.”
Now, Ometu plans to file a civil rights lawsuit. Outside the Bexar County Courthouse Wednesday, September 2, with a group of supporters, Ometu said he was punished for invoking his rights.
He said;
“I was physically, emotionally and mentally harmed, and that has to be addressed. Multiple cops either not knowing or ignoring the rights of Texas residents — this has to be addressed.”
Watch him speak below;
Mathias Ometu who was arrested while jogging speaks. It was a case of mistaken identity.
