Police video shows an Arkansas State Police trooper breaking an SUV’s rear window, gripping a back-seat passenger by his arm and dreadlocks and pulling him toward the opening before punching him during an arrest.
Trooper Theodore Henderson reported striking the passenger, 23-year-old Tedrick Washington, a second time after the struggle moved to the ground.
Washington was a passenger in the vehicle. He was later charged with obstruction of governmental operations and resisting arrest.
The Traffic Stop
The Aug. 19 encounter followed a pursuit that began at approximately 11:21 p.m. on Arkansas 18. Henderson reported clocking a 2023 Infiniti QX50 traveling 82 mph in a 60-mph zone near the Big Lake bridge.
After Henderson activated his emergency lights and turned around, the driver allegedly accelerated. Henderson reported initially clocking the SUV at 113 mph before its speed increased to 130 mph. Henderson wrote that he traveled between 130 and more than 140 mph while attempting to catch the vehicle.
Blytheville police officers deployed spike strips near County Road 239. The SUV struck the strips but continued into Blytheville, ran a red light at Arkansas 18 and Arkansas 151 and began losing air from its front driver’s-side tire, according to the report.
Henderson’s first tactical vehicle intervention was unsuccessful. He reported using a second TVI to push the SUV over a curb near North 16th and West Walnut streets, immobilizing it.
Police identified the driver as Adonerus Johnson, 25. Henderson reported seeing Johnson climb from the driver’s seat into the back seat and attempt to leave through a rear door.
Gosnell Police Cpl. Cade Liles pointed his firearm at Johnson and ordered him to the ground. Liles reported deploying his Taser after Johnson continued moving away. Officers used additional Taser applications before taking Johnson into custody, according to the reports.
Henderson then turned his attention to Washington, who was seated behind the driver.
The video shows Henderson ordering Washington to leave the SUV before breaking the rear driver’s-side window with a baton. Henderson wrote that Washington said he could not get out and did not follow repeated commands to crawl through the opening.
Henderson then grabbed Washington’s left wrist and a handful of his hair. The trooper wrote that Washington pulled his arm away and braced himself against the partially opened door.
According to Henderson, Washington “postured up” and appeared to be preparing to strike after the trooper briefly released his hair. Henderson then punched Washington once in the left side of his face with a closed fist.
Henderson pulled Washington from the vehicle and took him to the ground. The trooper reported that Washington tensed his arms, pulled away and kept one arm underneath his head while officers attempted to handcuff him.
Henderson wrote that he punched Washington a second time in the left cheek during that struggle.
Liles reported that Washington attempted to push officers away and repeatedly reached toward his waist. He described Henderson using multiple closed-hand strikes to Washington’s face.
Liles also reported that Washington was bleeding following the encounter. Pafford EMS was called to examine all three occupants, but the records do not list any hospital transport.
Police said Johnson later provided breath samples that registered 0.17. He was booked on allegations of felony fleeing, first-offense DWI, reckless driving, resisting arrest, speeding more than 15 mph over the limit, improper passing on the right, failure to stop at a red light, no seat belt and unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate a felony.
A front-seat passenger complied with officers’ commands and was released without charges.
Gosnell Police Department use-of-force paperwork found Cpl. Cade Liles’ firearm display, Taser use and hands-on force justified under that department’s policy. That review concerned Liles’ conduct, not Henderson’s.
Henderson provided a detailed account of his actions in the ASP incident report. However, the released records do not include a separate ASP administrative finding on Henderson’s use of force or a statement from Washington.
